By Marisol Bo-oc | 10:40 PM August 04, 2020
A video of an ostrich is now circulating online, prompting the #Jumanji and #ostrich to trend on Philippine Twitter. Both are still in the top 10 trending topics in the country.
An ostrich was spotted merrily running down a street in a private subdivision in Quezon City subdivision on Tuesday, August 4, first day of MECQ.
Dino Rivera, a resident of Mapayapa Village 3, posted on Facebook a video of the ostrich he spotted running along the main village road, Inquirer reported.
“I have seen weird things in my life but this one ranks up there,” he said in the caption of his post, adding it was the first time that he saw a running ostrich in the subdivision.
As of posting time, the video has already earned over 11,000 reactions and 13,000 shares.
In an Inquirer report, Rivera said he heard from security guards of the subdivision that the ostrich is owned by another resident near their area.
The ostrich was reported to have been caught by authorities after a few moments of its carefree tour in the subdivision.
Another village resident Gorgeous Umipig said she also saw two ostriches running on the street. Both ostriches were later caught by authorities.
CNN Philippines reported that personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (DENR) had conducted an investigation in the area. In fact, an animal handler from DENR, Ariel de Jesus, had requested a meeting with the owner of the ostriches, CNN Philippines added.
Under Republic Act No. 9147, the possession of wildlife is illegal unless the person can prove “financial and technical capability and facility” to take care of the animal.
DENR explained that ostriches are allowed to be pets, so long as the keeper holds a Certificate of Wildlife Registration.
Ostriches are the fastest runners among any birds or other two-legged animals. They can sprint at over 50 kilometres per hour, covering up to five miles in a single stride.
Image: Dino Rivera
