(JNi.media) An ostrich who was running free in the streets of Jerusalem was seized on Sunday afternoon after sowing panic in the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo in eastern Jerusalem.
Many residents reported seeing the large (flightless) bird running away from teams of the municipal veterinary service. The ostrich’s owner, who lives in the neighborhood, told a veterinary service inspector that he had purchased it illegally as a chick in the marketplace of Kafr Qasim—an Israeli Arab city some 12 miles east of Tel Aviv—and raised it since, without the knowledge or approval of the municipality or the Veterinary Services.
The ostrich (Struthio camelus), native to Africa, is the largest living bird species and lays the largest eggs of any living bird. It is capable of reaching 45 mph, which is the speed limit on local roads in Israel.
The Jerusalem municipality said that “out of deep concern for the well-being of the ostrich,” it was transferred to the Biblical Zoo, where it is being treated by professional staff.
Leah Abolof, a resident of Gilo, told Walla: “I sat on the bus when traffic suddenly stopped and we saw the ostrich standing in the middle of the street.” She added, “It wasn’t letting traffic move and I was afraid it might hurt the children who at that time were just being released from schools and kindergartens.” Abolof also said she feared for the ostrich’s well being, standing like that in traffic.
Dr. Asaf Brill, head of the Veterinary Service of the Jerusalem municipality, told Ynet: “I’ve been on the job 11 years, and never encountered anything like this. We experience fleeing animals like parrots and iguanas, but these are animals people usually raise. The ostrich is a wild, dangerous, and endangered bird. It can reach the weight of many hundreds of pounds — a kick from it can kill a man.” He said he believed the ostrich is one- to two-years old.
Dr. Brill noted that the owner is being investigated by his staff and the Nature Reserves Authority and action would be taken against him accordingly. Raising an animal of this size without a permit is a criminal offense.