“I remember thinking how is this tiny chick going to turn into some majestic, six-foot monstrosity. I just couldn’t believe it, but here we are today.”
She named the chick Jonathan before discovering she was female.
Three years later, the six-foot bird now lives with her at home, roaming the fields and cosying up under a heat lamp.
While Jonathan is now an integral part of her life, Ms Evans warns rearing an emu is not a decision to be taken lightly.
“They require a huge amount of commitment, their life span is 35-40 years so you’ve got to be in it for the long haul,” she said.
Helen Goldman, from West Country Emu Services, agreed the birds were not “pets for a casual keeper”, and urged potential owners to ensure they were equipped.
“They’re large, powerful animals that need plenty of space, as they can run up to 30mph. Their food is a specialist ratite diet, which can be costly, and they also need a minimum of six-foot fencing,” she said.
“These are wonderful, intelligent birds, but they deserve homes that truly meet their needs.”