This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/26/escaped-rhea-bird-found-nottinghamshire-field-four-days-on-run

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Escaped rhea bird found in field after four days on the run Escaped rhea bird found in field after four days on the run
(about 2 hours later)
A 6ft ostrich-like bird that has been on the run for four days from a Nottinghamshire farm, prompting a widespread search by armed police, has been found, its owner has said.A 6ft ostrich-like bird that has been on the run for four days from a Nottinghamshire farm, prompting a widespread search by armed police, has been found, its owner has said.
The aggressive male rhea disappeared from a smallholding in Carlton-in-Lindrick on Monday night or Tuesday morning. Owner Alex Macdonald feared it might have been stolen but on Friday said it had been spotted and captured just a few fields away.The aggressive male rhea disappeared from a smallholding in Carlton-in-Lindrick on Monday night or Tuesday morning. Owner Alex Macdonald feared it might have been stolen but on Friday said it had been spotted and captured just a few fields away.
Macdonald said members of his family had gone to wrestle the powerful bird into a vehicle and they were looking forward to having it home soon.Macdonald said members of his family had gone to wrestle the powerful bird into a vehicle and they were looking forward to having it home soon.
When it was reported missing on Tuesday, armed officers joined the search and warnings were issued to the public not to approach the rhea, which has sharp claws and can accelerate to speeds of 30mph.When it was reported missing on Tuesday, armed officers joined the search and warnings were issued to the public not to approach the rhea, which has sharp claws and can accelerate to speeds of 30mph.
News of the recapture of the bird came just hours after police in South Yorkshire said they were searching the Rotherham area following possible sightings.News of the recapture of the bird came just hours after police in South Yorkshire said they were searching the Rotherham area following possible sightings.
The South Yorkshire police spokesman said officers were searching the Rother Valley area following a sighting there and also in the Dinnington area. Macdonald said the powerful male was “aggressive” in part because it had fathered a cluster of eggs with its mate. The female was pacing up and down its enclosure, apparently looking for its partner. The South Yorkshire police spokesman said officers were searching the Rother Valley area following a sighting there and also in the Dinnington area. Macdonald said the powerful male was aggressive in part because it had fathered a cluster of eggs with its mate. The female was pacing up and down its enclosure, apparently looking for its partner.
Macdonald said on Thursday: “She’s alright. She doesn’t really want to attack you when you come in but the male was aggressive, very protective because he was sat on the eggs.Macdonald said on Thursday: “She’s alright. She doesn’t really want to attack you when you come in but the male was aggressive, very protective because he was sat on the eggs.
“It’s the male that does the sitting on the eggs with these - either that or ours is just odd because that is what he does. “My dad’s just put them in a bucket at the top of the garden hoping that he’ll come back and will know to come to its eggs.” “It’s the male that does the sitting on the eggs with these – either that or ours is just odd because that is what he does. “My dad’s just put them in a bucket at the top of the garden hoping that he’ll come back and will know to come to its eggs.”
He said the animal was powerful and often needed four men to wrestle it to the ground when it needed moving.He said the animal was powerful and often needed four men to wrestle it to the ground when it needed moving.
Macdonald added: “People take it lightly because they think it’s just a little bird. But they don’t understand, until you get into a field with one and wrestle one – they’ve got claws, they kick like mad. Macdonald added: “People take it lightly because they think it’s just a little bird. But they don’t understand, until you get into a field with one and wrestle one – they’ve got claws, they kick like mad. They’re quite powerful and they can run quite fast - 30mph probably. That’s quick.”
“They’re quite powerful and they can run quite fast - 30mph probably. That’s quick.” Last year, another rhea – nicknamed Chris after the Road to Hell singer – went on the run in Hertfordshire. The 6ft bird became a familiar face at Barkway Park Golf Club near Royston after it escaped from its enclosure nearby in April 2014, but police were worried it could cause a car crash.
Last year, another rhea – nicknamed Chris after the Road To Hell singer – went on the run in Hertfordshire.
The 6ft bird became a familiar face at Barkway Park Golf Club near Royston after it escaped from its enclosure nearby in April 2014, but police were worried it could cause a car crash.
After more than a month on the loose, the fugitive was shot dead by gamekeeper Stuart Howe, who turned the bird into gourmet sausages.After more than a month on the loose, the fugitive was shot dead by gamekeeper Stuart Howe, who turned the bird into gourmet sausages.