Thailand’s Chiang Mai Zoo held training drills for its ‘wild animal management plan’ which saw one man dress as an ostrich. Photograph: Chiang Mai Zoo Facebook page

 

Chiang Mai Zoo not keeping its head in the sand, with man captured after fleeing enclosure in bird suit as part of ‘wild animal management plan’

 

by Samantha Lock

A man dressed as an eight foot tall ostrich with a towering bird neck strapped to his head was successfully pinned down with a fishing net after running amok in a Thailand zoo this week.

 

The staff member was taking part in a training drill designed to ensure the animal was unable to escape its enclosure, should the real-world situation ever arise.

 

Although the ostrich is a flightless bird, it is a risk that the popular northern Thailand zoo – home to about 400 animal species – isn’t willing to take.

 

The Chiang Mai Zoo director, Wuttichai Muangman, revealed the “wild animal management plan” which simulated various emergency situations including an ostrich falling out of its nest.

 

Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/26/thailand-zookeeper-dresses-as-ostrich-in-novel-approach-to-training-drill

 

-- © Copyright The Guardian 2022-08-26

 

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I bet an ostrich is a bit quicker and harder to catch. ????????

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A man dressed as an eight foot tall ostrich with a towering bird neck strapped to his head was successfully pinned down with a fishing net after running amok in a Thailand zoo this week.

The staff member was taking part in a training drill designed to ensure the animal was unable to escape its enclosure, should the real-world situation ever arise.

Let's see here:

Ostrich have a top speed of 70 km/h (45 mph). They can cover five metres in a single stride!

Even more impressively, ostrich can maintain a steady 60 km/h over enormous distances. They can run a 42 km Olympic marathon in just 40 minutes!

So 

 

Quote

running amok 

was probably an overly enthusiastic description then 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“wild animal management plan”

Reminded me of the classic encounter between Michael Parkinson and Rod Hull with "Emu" (UK TV comedy)

 

I didn't know that ostriches were native to Thailand and regarded as 'wild'........

Were the enacting some metaphor of the Government?

19 hours ago, webfact said:

The staff member was taking part in a training drill designed to ensure the animal was unable to escape its enclosure, should the real-world situation ever arise.

Would it not be better to just check the fences?

17 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Even more impressively, ostrich can maintain a steady 60 km/h over enormous distances. They can run a 42 km Olympic marathon in just 40 minutes!

So could a Thai if told they get to keep the meat.

Oh I read this in another paper and thought  how brilliant.  A typical combination of sincere serious intention combined with deadpan comedy. Amazing Thailand!