THAILAND: ZOO STAGES AN OSTRICH RACE PROVDING A CHALLENGE FOR JOCKEYS MORE USED TO RIDING HORSES

Record ID: 506237

  • Title: THAILAND: ZOO STAGES AN OSTRICH RACE PROVDING A CHALLENGE FOR JOCKEYS MORE USED TO RIDING HORSES
  • Date: 12th August 1999
  • Summary: SIRRACHA, THAILAND (AUGUST 12, 1999) (REUTERS) WIDE OF OSTRICH FARM OSTRICHES CLOSE UP OSTRICH VARIOUS OF OSTRICHES BEING FED BY VISITORS CLOSE UP OSTRICH BITING CAMERA CHILDREN WATCHING VISITORS SITTING ON BENCH WITH THE ZOO MONKEYS VARIOUS MONKEY COUPLE/ MONKEY WEARING SUN-GLASSES WIDE OF START LINE/OSTRICHES AND JOCKEYS HOODED OSTRICH BEFORE RACE OSTRICH RACE IN PROGRESS PEOPLE WATCHING JOCKEY RIDING A OSTRICH/RACE VISITORS WATCHING OSTRICHES AND JOCKEYS BEFORE RACE JOCKEY PUSHING HOODED OSTRICH TOWARD THE START LINE SOUNDBITE (Thai) MANA 18-YEAR-OLD THAI JOCKEY: "I was riding horses before and I could hold on to the reins. But riding an ostrich there's nothing to hold on to so it's easy to fall off." JOCKEY TRYING TO CONTROL AN OSTRICH MORE OF OSTRICHES RACING PEOPLE WATCHING/ SIGN SAYING "OSTRICH RACING" SOUNDBITE (Thai) TAKSIIN RAYONG, 23-YEAR-OLD THAI, ZOO VISITOR: "It's good...it's fun. This is first time I've seen such a thing. I would like other zoos to organise the same kind of races." FEMALE JOCKEY RIDING OSTRICH VISITORS WIDE SHOT OF THE RACE
  • Embargoed: 27th August 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SIRRACHA, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5KIKMNHPYH51RVAPLSJ1BOK8S
  • Story Text: Dust and feathers flew in eastern Thailand this week when a provincial zoo staged a day of Ostrich races.The flightless giants are among the world's fastest land creatures but their unpredictable nature proved a challenge for jockeys who are more used to riding horses than birds.
    Many Thais have never seen a "Struthio Camelus", or ostrich, before -- and certainly never at an occasion like this.
    A zoo in Sirracha province, 150 km (90 miles) east of Bangkok, staged a series of races for the giant birds this week to promote a breeding programme.
    The zoo started the programme two years ago and has successfully bred 14 ostriches, which are indigenous.
    The races were not about winning and glory but having fun and showing off the lightning speed of an ostrich steered by trained jockeys.
    The jockeys trained for four months for the big day.
    While some learnt quickly, others had problems controlling the birds, which have unpredictable and volatile temperaments.
    Mana, 18, said: "I have ridden horses before and I could hold the reins.But riding an ostrich there is nothing to hold on to so it's easy to fall off."
    The event proved to be a hit with other residents of the zoo, including a colourfully dressed monkey couple, one in sunglasses, who entertained visitors on the way to the race course.
    The ostrich is the world's largest living bird, and is native to Central Africa.It does not fly, has a small head and long neck, as well as enormous and powerful legs.
    Males have black and white plumage, while females are brown and white.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register