Many, many thanks to all those who helped recapture, were unwilling
landlords, or scoured the countryside looking for our two boys! After 21
days and over 150 hours of searching, the two were both tempted back
home through their stomachs (typical males!).
I can't
say what a relief it is to no longer be waking up in the morning to face
another probably fruitless day of searching - and my chances of finding
and bringing them home without the help of so many friends, family and
total strangers would have been very slim indeed!
Incidentally,
these birds have been kept behind stock fence without problems all of
their lives, and the two escapees were over 6. Like most horses, they
are happy where they live and respect the fences. But fear raises
adrenalin levels, and adrenalin gives that extra energy and courage to
push a creature higher and faster - that is what it's for! At the end of
the day, rhea are birds. They might not be able to fly, but they have a
pretty good bounce! By pushing off of lower bars they can effectively
climb, and vault over the top of a fence or gate using their strong neck
muscles to help them sideways over the top, and their large wings to
give them lift and balance. My guess would be that they could clear 6ft
if adrenalin was high enough, in a "run or die" situation. If they
failed, then they might very well die of heart attack or injuries
incurred, whilst repeatedly trying.
Adult rhea are also
capable of delivering a very effective peck or a fatal kick to a dog
(or fox), and will do so in self defence. Fortunately for this dog, our
birds are not used to having to protect themselves against domestic
animals and caught unawares, their first instinct was to run.
