Stray Ostrich dies after six-hour highway drama in SA

A stray ostrich spotted running on a highway in South Africa’s commercial capital, Johannesburg, died on Thursday morning hours after being restrained by a wildlife protection group.

The Owl Rescue Centre said efforts to resuscitate the 70kg (154lbs) ostrich after it had collapsed were unsuccessful.

“The stress of being on that highway for six hours and the stress of the rescue was just too much for her,” it said.

Videos shared on social media showed the bird running on a highway as cars passed by.

The Owl Rescue Centre says attempts by its staff to mobilise police officers at a roadblock to close the N14 highway and herd the bird to a safer area were ignored.

“They declined to assist and said we shouldn’t let our animals run freely on main roads,” it said in a statement.