A six-foot flightless bird which has been on the run in Crow country has been shot dead and is set to be turned into gourmet sausages.
The South American rhea hit the national headlines after escaping from its home near Brent Pelham at the end of March, with police and RSPCA warning that the bird, which could run at a speed of 40mph, was potentially dangerous as it could attack with its beak.
It was spotted on several occasions near Barkway Park Golf Club, but was killed by game-keeper Stuart Howe last Monday after it wandered into a rape seed field.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Howe said: “I suppose some people might say it is a shame the rhea is dead but it would be terrible if it caused someone to die in a car crash. I saw the rhea near the roadside at one point and it would easily have caused a car to swerve and hit a tree.”
He added that the meat from the bird would be used for sausages.
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