Runaway rhea thought to be bunkered in Hertfordshire golf course

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/17/runaway-rhea-hertfordshire-golf-course-bird-royston

Version 0 of 1.

The hunt for a runaway South American rhea that went missing from its owner's home more than a month ago is now focused on a golf course about five miles away.

The tall flightless bird with a running speed of up to 40mph, appears to be bunkered down on or near Barkway Park club, near Royston, Hertfordshire, just a short trip down the road from Brent Pelham from where she escaped on 15 March.

After reported other sightings, including in the villages of Nuthampstead and Anstey, as well as in local rape fields, the three-year-old female rhea has apparently been "wandering about, happy as Larry" at the course, according to greenkeeper Carl Edwards, who saw it for the first time on Wednesday.

It hadn't been seen every day over the last couple of weeks and it tended to appear early in the morning, he said. He and his friend Anthony Lake took videos on their phones. "It walked just about 20 yards in front of us. If we got a bit close, it took a couple of steps to keep its distance. It is very big."

Edwards added: "It doesn't look like it is going very quickly, it seems to get out of sight very quickly." Animal Search UK, a charity, has sent a team to the course to help in the search. Its founder Tom Watkins told the Daily Telegraph: "We've never been faced with a bird that can run quicker than Usain Bolt."

The RSPCA said: "Rheas are large birds and have the potential to be dangerous as they are strong, fast and have sharp claws. Our advice to the general public is keep well away and call us or the police if they see the bird.

"We would not recommend that anyone attempts to restrain or catch a rhea themselves, as these birds are able to kick in any direction and may kick out if they feel threatened. If anyone does spot the rhea they can contact us on 0300 1234 999."

Hertfordshire police also asked members of the public not to approach the bird but to call on their 101 non-emergency number.