A Wiltshire animal sanctuary has shared an update about the things locals should look out for as the search for missing emu Irwin enters its third day.

An update on Tuesday from Irwin's home, Malmesbury Animal Sanctuary read: “Whilst optimism is dwindling we are forever hopeful."

They shared fears that he could be "injured and sheltering" or may have been "swept downstream” due to the field being partially flooded and the lack of sightings so far.

The sanctuary has since posted pictures of emu poo and feathers in the hope that members of the public might find something which could help locate Irwin, advising them to keep an eye out for long feathers which are joined together and either flattened emu poo or excrement with a white streak through it.

A spokesperson said: “If anyone sees anything of this description please let us know and text only our numbers as we may miss any calls: Janinka 07818426060 or Gary 07599 690697.

At the beginning of the week, the sanctuary posted on Facebook in a bid to locate the bird, saying their “beautiful emu Irwin” had gone missing and describing the behaviour as “unusual” and “likely to be an accident” as he has never left the field in the five years he has lived there.”

It said: "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 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 along the stretch between Dark Road and Daniel’s Well."

This was followed up by an update on Tuesday following members of the public joining the search for the exotic bird

This update 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 waters edge in case of the worst-case scenario."