In Seongnam city, South Korea, commuters were taken aback as they witnessed an unusual sight amidst their morning traffic: an ostrich running loose on the roads. The ostrich, known as Tadori, was spotted at 9:30 am, causing quite a stir among the locals.
Authorities sprang into action to capture the runaway bird, which had escaped from the local ecological park by maneuvering through a narrow gap in the park's fences. Named Tadori, the ostrich had been displaying signs of stress and aggression ever since its mate, Tasuni, passed away the previous month. Tasuni and Tadori had been companions since they were chicks, kept together in the nature experience farm.
The chase lasted nearly an hour before Tadori was finally apprehended at 10:25 am near a storage building in Sangdaewon-dong. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the bystanders, and the ostrich itself suffered only minor bruises on its legs.
The ostrich's escapade highlights the challenges of keeping such large and powerful birds in captivity. Ostriches, known for their incredible speed and need for ample space to roam and run, are not suited to life as pets. Animal rights activists have long advocated against keeping wild animals like ostriches in zoos or parks, arguing for their release into their natural habitats.
This incident in Seongnam is not the first of its kind. In January 2021, an ostrich made headlines in Karachi, Pakistan, after escaping from a private zoo and roaming the city streets before being safely returned to its enclosure.
Additionally, ostriches have been known to venture into unexpected places, as evidenced by a viral video from the 2016 Cape Argus Tour in South Africa. The video captured an ostrich chasing cyclists along a deserted road, garnering millions of views on YouTube.
Such incidents serve as reminders of the importance of respecting the natural habitats and needs of wild animals, even in captivity, and prompt discussions about the ethics of keeping them in confined spaces for human entertainment.