Two emus have been banned from entering a hotel in Australia's Outback. The emu is the world's second-largest living bird by height and is native to Australia. The two banned emus are siblings (brother and sister). The four-room Yaraka Hotel in the state of Queensland barred the giant birds because of bad behaviour. The birds are called Kevin and Carol. They were well known at the hotel for popping in for a few biscuits or a slice of toast. However, recently, the two birds have become a nuisance to the guests staying at the hotel. Co-owner Chris Gimblett has put rope across the stairs leading up to the hotel to keep the birds out. There is also a sign for guests saying: "Please let yourself through the emu barrier."
One of the reasons for the emu ban is that the birds have learned to climb the stairs. They have been wandering up to the hotel's bedrooms and shocking guests in the corridor. Mr Gimblett said: "Travellers have to be very cautious with the emus because they will poke their heads in...and drink all the coffee...and steal your toast. And if you have a barbecue, watch out because they'll take everything." He added: "You don't want to get between an emu and its food. They've got very sharp beaks and they're a bit like a vacuum cleaner where food is concerned." He warned: "Because they do eat so much food, their toiletry habits are very frequent.... imagine a sloppy bowl of porridge from a height of a metre."
