‘Roadrunner’ ostrich was earlier kept as pet in bungalow
SEMENYIH: The owner of the ostrich caught running on the Federal Highway yesterday said he almost had a heart attack when he found out that his pet had escaped.
Darren Chow, who is an animal consultant, said he was shocked to realise that his beloved ostrich, Chickaboo, that was in his pick-up truck had suddenly disappeared.
“He (Chickaboo) was sitting at the back. I was checking on him in my rear view mirror every time I stopped in traffic.
“I had only just checked on him two to three minutes back before I realised he was no longer there.”
The ostrich is believed to have fled through an open window in his vehicle near the location of the Universiti Malaya roundabout.
Darren said the ostrich could achieve speeds of up to 30kph.
Social media carried pictures and videos of the ostrich running on the Federal Highway.
Many companies, including a bank, today came out with advertisements to capitalise on this fascinating escapade to promote their products.
The ostrich’s run to freedom ended in front of the Mid Valley Mall when four people helped grab the bird.
Darren was grateful to them that no harm came to Chickaboo.
Asked what he was doing with the ostrich, Darren said Chickaboo was hatched from an egg he bought from a farm in Semenyih six months ago.
He had been keeping the bird in his bungalow in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, for some time together with other birds.
However his neighbours complained and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MPPJ) ordered him to place the bird elsewhere.
It was then that he decided to relocate Chickaboo to the Ostrich Wonderland Farm owned by one Casey Teh in Semenyih – the same farm where he got the ostrich’s egg.
Unfortunately for him, the ostrich had other ideas on the way to the farm and escaped.
Darren said taking care of ostriches was not against the law and that he really loved Chickaboo.
“Ostriches are not protected animals. They don’t make much noise and their faeces is also not smelly.
“I asked MPPJ what was wrong with keeping an ostrich but they could not give a proper reason,” he said.
Darren said the next time he wanted to move the ostrich, he may need to send it at night to prevent it scooting off again.
Meanwhile, Casey said Chickaboo, due to its new-found popularity, would be placed in a special area so that more people could see him up close.
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