Sat. Sep 21st, 2024

A runaway rhea that escaped from a garden in Lincolnshire has been found safe and well.

Buzz broke out of the paddock in East Barkwith on Sunday afternoon.

Owner Tammy said she had been “very worried” about the family pet.

A drone that was brought in to help search for the flightless bird spotted it in a field close to the nearby village of South Willingham.

“I’m very pleased to say Buzz came home last night,” Tammy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

She said the eight-year-old animal was located by “the amazing team” from Nottinghamshire-based animal rescue charity, Drone to Home, which usually finds lost dogs.

“We then went in and were able to get some blankets over her and get her into the van,” she said.

She also praised the local community and said everyone had been “really helpful keeping an eye out”.

Tammy reported that Buzz might have been startled by their alpacas being shorn, which was a first-time occurrence for him escaping. She expressed concern that the animal, which posed no danger to the public, could have been frightened and collided with a car or fence. However, she added that Buzz appeared unharmed by his escapade.

The drone charity, which operates on donations and provides free services, shared on social media that Buzz had been successfully rescued with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers. They noted that everything went smoothly, and Buzz was safely returned home.

Phil James, the founder of the charity, mentioned that they located the rhea within an hour of receiving the call on Monday. Initial attempts to capture the 5ft (1.5m) bird with a net failed as it sprinted across the field at speeds of about 40mph (64km/h). Returning the next day with more assistance, James described it as one of his most challenging rescues. Eventually, with the aid of thermal imaging drones, they located Buzz, who was sedated by a veterinarian before being reunited with his home. James likened their equipment to that used by police for finding hidden individuals, albeit repurposed for animal rescue missions.

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