Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Hide from the chasing ostrich
• Method 2 of 3: Defend against an attacking ostrich
• Method 3 of 3: Precautions

Ostriches can be found both in the wild, during safari, and on the ostrich farm. Be that as it may, be extremely careful. Although ostriches do not perceive people as a victim, if provoked, they can injure and even kill. Ostriches run very fast and are capable of delivering deadly kicks (especially when you consider their frightening claws). It is best to stay away from these birds and not disturb them. If you do not touch the ostrich, most likely it will not touch you either. If you do find yourself dangerously close to the ostrich, duck down and try to find shelter. As a last resort, you can try to fight back the ostrich.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Hide from the chasing ostrich

1. 1 Run to the nearest cover. Keep in mind that in open areas ostriches can reach speeds of up to 70 km / h. If there are dense thickets or trees nearby, take cover among them before the ostrich gets to you. Try to hide before the ostrich has time to accelerate, otherwise you will be less likely to run away from it.
   • If there is more secure shelter nearby than vegetation (such as a car or building), try to use it. When struck by an ostrich leg, the pressure can reach three million pascals - enough to kill a person.
   • If you are in doubt about your ability to get to the shelter, do NOT attempt to do so. Ostriches run very fast, and the bird will stab you in the back as soon as it catches up.
2. 2 Hide yourself. Although ostriches do eat meat, they prefer insects, small reptiles and rodents. Keep in mind that anxious ostriches haunt people not because they want to eat, but because they feel threatened. At the first opportunity, try to hide and disappear from the ostrich's field of view. As soon as the bird stops seeing you, it will forget about you.
3. 3 Climb higher. Remember that ostriches cannot fly. If you can't find cover on the ground, climb a tree, fence, or other elevation. Before descending, wait until the ostrich forgets about you and moves away.
   • Adult ostriches reach a height of 2-3 meters. Although ostriches have no teeth, they can strike with their beak and knock you to the ground. Climb higher so that the bird cannot reach you.
4. 4 Take cover in a thorny bush. Better to get hurt on the thorns than to get a fatal blow with the razor sharp claws of an ostrich. If you have no other cover, hide in the thorny bushes. Wait for the ostrich to leave before getting out of the bushes.
   • Most likely, the ostrich will be careful not to stick its head into the thorny bush after you, so as not to damage its large eyes.
5. 5 Lie on the ground. Don't run to cover or high ground if it's too far away from you. Instead, take the last resort and pretend to be dead. Lie with your stomach on the ground and cover the back of your head with your hands to protect your head. The ostrich can come up and touch, hit, or step on you. Wait until he gets bored and leaves you. Please note that this method may cause injury.
   • The risk of injury from being struck by an ostrich paw is much reduced when the person is lying down. The ostrich strikes forward and downward, and it exerts the greatest effort when the paw moves forward.
   • Ostrich claws are still dangerous. Lie on your stomach to better protect your internal organs from the bird's sharp claws.
   • Before the ostrich leaves, he can stomp on you and even sit on top. An adult ostrich usually weighs 90–160 kilograms.

Method 2 of 3: Defend against an attacking ostrich

1. 1 Use something long. If you have to defend yourself against an ostrich, avoid close contact. Try to stay as far away from his legs as possible. Use any long improvised object as a weapon: a stick, a rake, a mop or a pole.
   • If you have a firearm and have to use it, aim for the bird's torso - this is the largest and most comfortable target. Although the ostrich strikes with its legs and beak, its limbs and neck are too thin and you can easily miss.
2. 2 Stay to the side of the bird. The most risky thing is to stand directly in front of the ostrich. Remember that ostriches are only capable of striking with their paws in front of them. Try to stay behind or to the side of the ostrich so that it cannot use its most dangerous weapon.
3. 3 Aim for the neck. The weakest point of an ostrich is its neck. Hit the bird's neck to scare it off faster. If you can't reach your neck, hit in the chest. Aim for the neck and chest and hit them until the ostrich runs away.
4. 4 Damage the bird's wings. If the ostrich does not back down despite the fact that you kick it in the neck, try to get to its wings if possible. Note that the ostrich does not use its wings to fly, but to change direction more smoothly while running (like the rudder of a ship). If you manage to damage the bird's wings, you can more easily escape from it by dodging and changing direction frequently.
5. 5 Get to the feet of the bird. If you find yourself behind or to the side of the ostrich, try hitting it in the legs. Remember that the ostrich maintains its balance only thanks to its two thin legs. If you get the chance, hit the ostrich on one or both of them to upset its balance and prevent it from attacking you.

Method 3 of 3: Precautions

1. 1 Consider the terrain. If you are where ostriches meet, be on the lookout. Avoid open areas. Stay close to places where you can hide if you come across an ostrich.
2. 2 Avoid close contact. If you spot ostriches in the wild, stay away from them. Do not get too close to the birds (closer than 100 meters). If an ostrich is approaching you, back off, even if the bird is calm. Never put an ostrich in a stalemate, otherwise it will try to attack instead of retreating.
   • Probably, photos of people stroking, kissing ostriches and even riding them give the impression that these birds are harmless, but keep in mind that such photos were taken with tamed ostriches on farms. Even with such ostriches, care should be taken, not to mention their wild relatives.
3. 3 Beware of ostriches during the period when they hatch. At this time, ostriches are most irritable, especially males, which protect the eggs laid by females. During the breeding period, ostriches gather in flocks of 5-50 individuals, and the rest of the time they keep separately or in pairs.
   • Males can be recognized by their black plumage, white edges of the wings and tail feathers, and the red tinge of the forelegs.
   • Females can be recognized by the brown plumage and gray edges of the wings and tail.