Ostrich caught in viral incident dies of stress

One of the two ostriches that went viral after they were spotted running amok in Quezon City has been reported to pass away due to stress.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Spokesperson Undersecretary Benny Antiporda shared the news in Luisito Santos' report on dzBB Super Radyo, Saturday.

FLASH REPORT: Isa sa mga nagviral na ostrich sa Quezon City, namatay na dahil sa stress, ayon kay DENR Spokesperson Usec. Benny Antiporda. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/DmGQ8JeiXi

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 8, 2020

According to Antiporda, the owner of the ostrich, Jonathan Cruz, sent them a report stating the death of the ostrich.

DENR shared that it will still call on the owner to explain the incident and will conduct an investigation to know where the ostrich was buried and look for proof that it has indeed died.

Based on DENR's initial investigation, the ostriches came from Misamis and were supposed to be sent to Nueva Ecija. The DENR continues to be in the dark as to why the animals were held in Quezon City and were seen running loose in Mapayapa Village, a private subdivision in the same city.

READ: After viral ostrich incident, PAWS urges DENR to revoke wildlife permits issued to ‘unfit’ carers

The other ostrich who survived was voluntarily handed over to DENR and has been brought to a Biodiversity Management Bureau rescue center.

Antiporda emphasized that they will continue to investigate and will make people account for the ostrich's death.

On Tuesday morning, two ostriches went viral online and caught netizens by surprise after they were seen running loose inside the village.

—JCB, GMA News