Rheas On The Loose in England

woodsetton · #1 03-27-2021, 09:41 AM

https://news.sky.com/story/dog-walke...state-12257577

Around 20 giant South American birds are on the loose in Hertfordshire - with police warning they have been seen attacking dogs.

The rhea birds, which can grow to around 5ft tall and have a top speed of 50mph, have been spotted near Maple Cross.

Similar to an ostrich but smaller, the animals are believed to be wild.

PC Christian Gottmann, from the Rickmansworth and District Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "These birds are certainly an unusual sight on the streets of Three Rivers.

"We want to reassure the public that we are working in partnership with Three Rivers District Council, Highways and our Rural Operational Support Team to come up with a plan to capture and rehome the birds to a suitable animal reserve.

"If you think you may be able to help with this, please get in touch with us. In the meantime, we would advise the public not to approach these animals as they are very fast, much like their larger counterparts, and can be aggressive if cornered.

"Unfortunately we have received reports of them attacking dogs and deer, so we ask that dog owners are vigilant when out walking."

The birds are the largest in South America, where they originate from, and can reach speeds of 50mph.

This is not the first time the rhea has been spotted roaming the streets of the UK.

In 2015, there were two sightings of male rheas in Worksop, Nottinghamshire but they belonged to a local man.

And last year, the long-necked bird was spotted walking between cars on the A12 in Colchester, causing traffic jams.

***Who the fuck thought it would be a good idea to release 20 South American birds into the British countryside? I'm surprised they haven't frozen to death.***

William May · #2 03-27-2021, 11:27 AM

They had some Emus get loose in Tucson, and they were not worried about the birds, but the local animals. Emus can form a heavy "Fist" with their claws, and it's like being hit with a sledgehammer. They killed coyotes with a single blow. They are nasty, vicious animals.
Not like Lemu the Emu on the insurance commercials at ALL!

**kellyhound** · #3 03-28-2021, 05:43 AM

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/s...-for-sale.html it's a 6 hours walk for humans but for a rhea maybe 3

They're quite dangerous especially in the breeding season. They do what they want as they are rheapeat offenders.

Desert Rat · #4 03-28-2021, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William May

They had some Emus get loose in Tucson, and they were not worried about the birds, but the local animals. Emus can form a heavy "Fist" with their claws, and it's like being hit with a sledgehammer. They killed coyotes with a single blow. They are nasty, vicious animals.
Not like Lemu the Emu on the insurance commercials at ALL!

A lot of folk around here use Emus to guard their stock from coyotes, feral dogs, and cattle thieves. They do not fuck around. Much more robust and long living than a canine as well.

Interestingly, I googled the Rhea and found it to be the sole extant member of its Family, endemic to S. America. The Emu, endemic to Australia, is not even in the same Order as Rhea!! Apparently the split occurred over 66Mya concomitantly with the split of Gondwana. Not much has seemed to change between the two, so they occupy one hell of a niche.

Steve · #5 03-29-2021, 08:32 AM

It's coming up to Easter, I wonder what they taste like.

William May · #6 03-29-2021, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Rat

A lot of folk around here use Emus to guard their stock from coyotes, feral dogs, and cattle thieves. They do not fuck around. Much more robust and long living than a canine as well.

Interestingly, I googled the Rhea and found it to be the sole extant member of its Family, endemic to S. America. The Emu, endemic to Australia, is not even in the same Order as Rhea!! Apparently the split occurred over 66Mya concomitantly with the split of Gondwana. Not much has seemed to change between the two, so they occupy one hell of a niche.

I don't know about Rheas, but Emus, with their long legs, can wind up with one hell of a swing. I think it would be worse than being hit with a baseball bat.

William May · #7 03-29-2021, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

It's coming up to Easter, I wonder what they taste like.

Ummm..........Easter bunnies?
Chocolate?
Let me grab one and see!

OOOWWWIIIEEEEE!!! JFK!!!!!

woodsetton · #8 03-29-2021, 12:14 PM

It's not common in the UK for people to have enough property to need anything to guard it. Most people have fenced backyards here so no leg room for strange, violent birds.

FuManBoobs · #9 03-30-2021, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsetton

no leg room for strange, violent birds.

You haven't met my ex.

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