A mob of emus on S. Hamilton's property at Pinnaroo. Emus were killed by farmers because they were thought to break fences and foul pastures. They also suffer during times of drought because they usually eat green grass and herbage.

Emus do not typically group, usually being solitary birds, unless it is the male bird with his brood of chicks, which will remain with him for up to two years. However dry conditions and food shortages can cause them to come together and travel great distances in search of food. Their food normally consists of a wide variety of vegetable material including grass, leaves fruit, as well as insects, such as grasshoppers.

Farming and pastoral activities and the availability of water for stock has increased the range of the emu, but has also brought them into conflict with farmers, who see them competing for valuable food and water resources.