In the Gulf Times today Gillespie writes about the recent attack on a Qatar Natural History Group member by an irate ostrich at the Abrouq Reserve. (See Ostrich Attack Survivor Says “Lucky to be Alive”.)
Simon Flynn, the British resident who was researching a route for one of the QNHG’s rambles, was lucky to be alive, as the tiny brained birds have been known to kill not just people but also large and dangerous predators such as lions.
With a speed of up to 70 kph, if you do get in trouble with an ostrich running away is not an option. Instead, you should sit down on the ground, cover your heads with your arms and wait until the bird either moves away or help comes.
Fortunately, help did come for Simon Flynn in the form of the keeper at the film set in Abrouq. The keeper drove off the bird with a stick, although not before Simon had been repeatedly kicked and pecked.
Following the attack, it is now recommended that residents keep away from the Ras Abrouq Nature Reserve. If you do visit, try to do so outside the current breeding season.
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