King Island emu (SciiFii)

The King Island emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae minor) is a subspecies of emu that is endemic to King Island, in the Bass Strait between mainland Australia and Tasmania, and was once extinct since the early 19th century, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to its former range to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the King Island emu includes the Tasmanian emu (D. n. diemenensis), as they belong to a single population until less than 14,000 years ago when Tasmania and King Island were still connected. The small size of the King Island emu is an example of insular dwarfism. The King Island emu is the smallest of all known emus and has darker plumage than the mainland emu. It is black and brown and has naked blue skin on the neck, and its chicks are striped like those on the mainland. The subspecies is distinct from the likewise diminutive Kangaroo Island emu (D. n. baudinianus) in a number of osteological details, including size. The behaviour of the King Island emu does not differ much from that of the mainland emu. The birds gather in flocks to forage and during breeding time. They are primarily herbivorous and mostly feed on berries, grass and seaweed. They are known to run swiftly and can defend themselves by kicking. The nest is shallow and consists of dead leaves and moss. Seven to nine eggs are laid, which are incubated by both parents. The conservation status of the King Island emu is Near Threatened due to historic habitat loss and poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the natural habitats of the King Island emu is protected, and the King Island emu itself is a protected species, allowing the subspecies to make a comeback.