Emmanuel the Camera-Hostile Emu Wins Hearts with Continued Internet Antics

Most of us are aware of the old showbiz saying, “never work with children or animals”. However, in the social media age, this idea seems to have gone completely out the window. Although it may be true that kids and critters can often be what we might politely describe as “difficult”, you never know what crazy antics they might get up to on camera that are worth putting through the content mill. 

If we know anything about things that go viral, it's that they do well because they add an element of the unexpected. A dose of adorability doesn't do any harm, either. This is how @knucklebumpfarms found itself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, thanks to a particularly insistent emu named Emmanuel. 

The farm advertises itself as a “Mini Cow Hobby Farm”, but seems to be home to all manner of creatures — including the offending emu, who appears hellbent on ruining caretaker Taylor Blake's educational videos. Despite her best efforts, it seems like the bird simply cannot stand anybody having camera time.

Nobody is quite sure why Emmanuel acts like he does. It's not like he even knows what a camera is, let alone the educational purposes that his longsuffering human companion is trying to use it for. Nonetheless, people have been tickled by his insistent prescence in many of these videos. 

While he tends to give off a severe impression when he's pecking at the camera, Emmanuel has a softer side, too. Those emu cuddles have got to be something worth waiting for.

He might only have the one party trick, but that doesn't make it any less amusing. On top of that, not everyone can take out a camera with one expertly placed peck. The camera shy among us salute you, Emmanuel, even if you stop us learning about the wonders of cows.