adrian1963
Well-Known Member
From the telegraph this week -
A female rhea called Chris has been shot dead by a gamekeeper after a month on the run in the Hertfordshire countryside, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
The 6ft-tall ostrich-like creature had become a regular visitor to the Barkway Park Golf Club near Royston but was killed by deer manager Stuart Howe with police fearing the rapid runaway was a potential traffic hazard.
The rhea had escaped from the home of her owner Jo Clarke, who told the Telegraph she was angry the bird had been shot dead despite giving up hope of her returning.
"I knew this would happen in the end. But there was no need to shoot her," Mrs Clarke said, criticising claims the sharp-clawed rhea posed a threat to the public.
"She was never going to hurt anyone," she added. "All this stuff about them ripping a man's arm off with their claw is nonsense.
"They are very shy and like to eat weeds. She would just have run away if you approached her."
Golfers had apparently become happily accustomed to seeing the different kind of birdy on their course over the past few weeks.
"The golfers here sort of adopted it and used to enjoy seeing it grazing near the golf course," club captain Mike Rodgers told the newspaper.
"We were quite fond of the bird. It was never a particular nuisance and kept well away from golfers."
Mr Rodgers added: "It’s sad that someone had to shoot it, but if it was a traffic hazard, I understand that."
Mr Howe, who shot the rhea on Monday, told the newspaper it would not have been possible to capture the bird. He said the rhea meat would be used to make gourmet sausages.
My question is WHY?
And please don't quote the obvious traffic problems because in that case shouldn't we get game keepers to SHOOT the following for the same reason's
Dogs, Cats, Deer, Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Ducks, Geese, Swans, Foxes, Rabbits, Badgers and even People on the Rhea front as quoted by the golfers it WASN'T causing any problems.
A female rhea called Chris has been shot dead by a gamekeeper after a month on the run in the Hertfordshire countryside, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
The 6ft-tall ostrich-like creature had become a regular visitor to the Barkway Park Golf Club near Royston but was killed by deer manager Stuart Howe with police fearing the rapid runaway was a potential traffic hazard.
The rhea had escaped from the home of her owner Jo Clarke, who told the Telegraph she was angry the bird had been shot dead despite giving up hope of her returning.
"I knew this would happen in the end. But there was no need to shoot her," Mrs Clarke said, criticising claims the sharp-clawed rhea posed a threat to the public.
"She was never going to hurt anyone," she added. "All this stuff about them ripping a man's arm off with their claw is nonsense.
"They are very shy and like to eat weeds. She would just have run away if you approached her."
Golfers had apparently become happily accustomed to seeing the different kind of birdy on their course over the past few weeks.
"The golfers here sort of adopted it and used to enjoy seeing it grazing near the golf course," club captain Mike Rodgers told the newspaper.
"We were quite fond of the bird. It was never a particular nuisance and kept well away from golfers."
Mr Rodgers added: "It’s sad that someone had to shoot it, but if it was a traffic hazard, I understand that."
Mr Howe, who shot the rhea on Monday, told the newspaper it would not have been possible to capture the bird. He said the rhea meat would be used to make gourmet sausages.
My question is WHY?
And please don't quote the obvious traffic problems because in that case shouldn't we get game keepers to SHOOT the following for the same reason's
Dogs, Cats, Deer, Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Ducks, Geese, Swans, Foxes, Rabbits, Badgers and even People on the Rhea front as quoted by the golfers it WASN'T causing any problems.
They really haven't done very well so far, after ten years of releases I believe there are just nine (4.5) free-living birds.
