A search is on for an emu called Irwin feared to have lost its footing and slipped into a swollen Wiltshire river. Malmesbury Animal Sanctuary said emus were strong swimmers. The sanctuary hopes the bird has clambered out of the water and is sheltering in a garden. Townsfolk in Malmesbury have joined the hunt for Irwin, who has never gone missing before. The alarm was raised on Monday, when the sanctuary reported that Irwin had vanished. It posted on Facebook: “This morning we have discovered that our beautiful emu Irwin is nowhere to be seen. We are concerned for his safety fearing he may have slipped into the river and [been] swept downstream due to the field being partially flooded at the bottom. “However, emus are strong and natural swimmers so it’s more likely that he exited on the opposite side of the river and is now resting in someone’s garden. “Irwin has lived in the field for over five years and has never left it before in all weathers so this behaviour is unusual and therefore likely to be an accident.” By Tuesday Irwin was still at large. The sanctuary said: “Irwin the emu is still missing. Whilst optimism is dwindling we are forever hopeful. Could walkers and people with gardens along the river boundary please keep an eye out and also maybe search in the undergrowth. He may be injured and sheltering. Also please maybe prod any shrubs in the water’s edge in case of the worst-case scenario.” On Tuesday afternoon the sanctuary said that a drone had been flown above Malmesbury to try to spot Irwin, but without success. It also posted images of emu poo (which is distinctive) and feathers in case anyone spotted clues to Irwin’s whereabouts while out on walks. It said: “We thought it might be helpful if we posted some pics of emu poo and their feathers. Fresh emu poo has a white streak through it. Emu feathers are long.” It is not the first time the Malmesbury emus have been in the news. Earlier this year, an emu called Cha Cha crept up behind a staff member at the sanctuary and grabbed her earring from her lobe. Nature took its course and the earring was returned.