BLACKBURN, England, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- British police Saturday sought clues to the whereabouts of a 5-foot tall emu stolen from a facility that provides animals to people with special needs.

The 8-year-old emu called "Rod" was apparently spirited away from Lords House near Blackburn, England, Friday in a wheelbarrow stolen from a neighboring farm, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

Lords farm care supervisor Karen Hamer told the Mail she was worried the large bird may have been injured -- or worse -- in the caper.

"We're not sure he could have survived being pushed all that way," she said. "I have no idea how they managed to get an emu into a wheelie bin (wheelbarrow). Fully grown emus can be very dangerous as they have quite a kick on them and have quite sharp talons."

The emu was among several animals that participated in therapy for people with special needs, she said.