ELVIS has left the garden.

A three-year-old emu named after the pop legend has been rescued from a small garden full of chickens in the New Forest.

A member of the public spotted Elvis, who was living in a back garden on the edge of the national park, and contacted the RSPCA after being concerned for his welfare.

The bird, which has never seen another of its kind, was originally bought on eBay by a previous owner as an egg.

RSPCA exotics officer Phil Hamilton said: "Elvis was originally purchased on eBay as a fertile egg and was hatched by his previous owner.

"Elvis was taken in by a new owner to live with his chickens in his small, back garden. The bird has been strongly imprinted on humans."

The charity says Elvis is the latest in a number of callouts the charity has had to deal with that include exotic, wild animals including raccoon dogs, primates and even Caiman crocodiles.

It has reiterated the message that exotic animals should not be purchased online.

Specialist animal collection officer, who helped rescue Elvis last month, said: "It was a logistical nightmare getting Elvis from Hampshire to a specialist centre in Gloucestershire where he was offered a permanent home with another emu."