O’FALLON, Ill. (AP) — Fire officials say an ostrich that escaped from a southwestern Illinois farm was rescued after the 300-pound bird fell into a ravine and was injured.
A veterinarian tranquilized the ostrich before members of a fire rescue crew entered the ravine near O’Fallon, strapped the bird to a board while others hauled it out Monday evening using a pulley system.
O’Fallon Fire Chief Brad White tells the Belleville News-Democrat that after its rescue, the ostrich was treated and returned to its owners at a nearby farm. He says they raise ostriches for meat for people who have Lyme disease and cannot consume red meat.
