Authorities chase down runaway ostriches in Taber, Alta.
It was a strange situation in one southern Alberta community on Thursday where police were called to help wrangle some runaway ostriches.
In a viewer video sent to CTV News, RCMP officers in Taber, Alta., are seen driving in marked cruisers trying to head off one of the birds that was running down a street.
The first cruiser, with the ostrich owner in the passenger seat, is unable stop the bird, which stumbles and runs off to be chased by another RCMP member in a marked cruiser.
The Taber Police Service said the incident took place on Thursday morning.
"Members of the Taber Police Service and the TPS Regional Community Standards Unit dealt with a number of ostrich within Town of Taber limits," the agency wrote on Facebook.
"The group made their way out of town where they created traffic hazards. Taber Police Service members assisted the RCMP in confining the birds so the owners could safely capture them."
Destiny Nanaquewetung, the woman who shot the video, told CTV News she "thought she was seeing things" when she witnessed the scene.
"I noticed there was an ostrich running down the road," she said. "It's not something you see every day. It was really weird."
Despite that, she says the situation really made her day.
"(My day) started out a little rough but it definitely made it better, seeing an ostrich running down the highway."
RCMP say they responded to the area of Highway 36 and Township Road 94 for "reports of ostriches."
"RCMP determined that approximately 20 ostriches escaped their enclosure and were loose," police said in a release.
"Over the last several hours, RCMP have supported the farmer in locating and capturing the loose birds. A video taken by a local resident that has been provided to media depicts an RCMP police car with the ostrich owner riding on the passenger side grabbing one of the ostriches."
By 12:30 p.m., the majority of the ostriches were recaptured, but police are continuing to help the owner recover those that have yet to be caught.
Unfortunately, one of the birds was struck and killed during the events on Thursday morning, police said.
Taber is located approximately 260 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.