Emus are huge, flightless birds that run wild in Australia and are bred around the world on production ranches. A little smaller than ostriches, emus are social creatures. Although they adore caterpillars, they also eat fruit, flowers, other insects, and seeds. They live in flocks except during mating seasons, when they pair off. And Dad is the caregiver to the chicks!

Emu: The Bird

The emus I've seen have big, dark eyes and funny faces. As I was driving through the rescue-animal park, a flock followed my car - probably because they knew I had animal food. Strong creatures, and 5 to 7-feet tall, they weigh 110 to 120 pounds. You don't want to corner one because when frightened, they kick. They can run up to 40 mph, often at a 9-foot stride! They're great swimmers, too. Members of the ratite family, emus are cousins to ostriches and rheas.

Emu Fat

Here's their problem. They develop a lot of fat. And humans have discovered that emu fat, processed and manufactured into oil, can be used in cosmetics and skincare products. The oil is especially popular in moisturizing creams, body lotion, soap, and lip balm. But you have to kill the bird to get the fat.

Cosmeticians may say that emu oil is derived only from the birds' feathers, and the bird is not killed to get the feathers. My research indicates otherwise. The fat is taken off the carcass of the bird and refined into oil. The rest of the emu may then be sold as meat, and its skin as leather.

Inaccurate Product Labeling

Here's the other problem: Even some cosmetics companies that claim their products to be herbal, natural, or environmentally friendly, sometimes use emu oil. Because emu is not a household word, it's easy to miss on the label, or overlook in the advertising. Emu oil is popular not only because it works well as an emollient on human skin, but also because no one talks about where it really comes from. (For other animal conscious cosmetics articles, see My Makeup Mirror.)

If you're an animal lover, you must be careful; read between the lines on labels; email cosmetics manufacturers with your questions. For instance, the word "natural" is often misconstrued. If a label says "natural" that is not the same as "herbal," "plant based" or "animal friendly." Even the American Emu Association, which represents many emu oil manufacturers, uses the slogan: "Emu, the Natural Alternative."

So the next time you see a 3-toed, bushy "tailed," hairy-looking soft brown goober with a wide bill, an almost-bald, blue head, and long spindly legs - that's an emu. And that's where emu oil comes from.