A pet ostrich caused a stir after it was seen sprinting along a busy three-lane highway in Thailand’s coastal Chonburi province on Tuesday (April 7), before being safely recovered and returned to its enclosure at an animal-themed café.
The six-month-old male ostrich was captured in viral footage running at high speed along the road as vehicles, including cars and lorries, travelled alongside it. A motorist who was driving behind the bird recorded the unusual scene.
“Who lost an ostrich on the road? Come get him. He runs so fast,” the driver, identified as Chairat Sompong, was heard saying in the video.
Chairat, 33, later told AFP he initially thought there had been an accident when he encountered a traffic slowdown, before realising a live ostrich was running in the middle lane. He said the bird appeared frightened and disoriented as it moved through traffic.
He added that he attempted to guide the animal towards the left lane, where it eventually slowed down.
Adult ostriches are among the fastest running birds in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70km/h.
The ostrich, named B1, was eventually recaptured around 15km from its enclosure in the resort town of Pattaya, according to its owner, Itsara Boriboon.
“I was very worried and shocked. I was afraid it might have been involved in an accident,” said Itsara, 43.
He said he purchased B1 and a female ostrich, B2, about five months ago for 15,000 baht (approximately US$460), adding that neither had previously escaped.
Itsara, who operates a cat café featuring the ostriches, said the escape was triggered after loud noise from a construction delivery truck frightened the animal.
The ostrich was later retrieved by a member of the public who contacted the owner, who then travelled to a neighbouring province to collect it.
“I will take better care of them from now on so this will not happen again,” he added.
