WATCH: Ostriches return to Waco company after severe weather; search continues for others

WACO, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Superior Ostrich company is working with volunteers in the Waco area to find 80 to 90 birds, after 32 of them were safely returned and 12 were confirmed to have passed away.

Superior Ostrich owner, Reg Lindberg, said severe weather and flooding on Sunday caused a commotion, resulting in some big birds being on the loose.

“I’ve always had a finger in the ranching operation here all my life and I’ve seen several floods, but this one was one of the granddaddy of our floods,” said Lindberg.

Lindberg believes the floodwaters carried the ostriches into the Bosque River. The land is currently completely dry, but it was a different story just a few days ago.

“None of this water should be seen. The actual river is way on the other side of this far tree line. Some of them managed to escape by running to higher ground and others got swept away,” said Lindberg.

Lindberg and his team have found 80 ostriches within five miles of the ranch, with others possibly coming as a financial loss.

“When we process them, the meat’s worth anywhere from, just the meat, anywhere from two to could be as much as $3,000. They’re valuable. It’s just a big hit,” said Lindberg.

Some of the ostriches have been found by using a helicopter and drone footage. Others just show up at the front door.

“I found one this morning and she was just up there walking around the house. She was looking for somebody to come out and maybe give her some food or something,” said Lindberg.

After this win, Lindberg is still looking for the others.

“We’d like to be able to count the dead ones as well as the loved ones, and would like to know what happened to them because it’s still a big mystery to me as to what happened to 120 birds.

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