An even sadder ending to the “Jumanji” fiasco in Quezon City last Aug. 4 is what we got today as Mapayapa Village’s famous runaway ostrich was reportedly turned into adobo.
Last week, two ostriches took the spotlight on social media after they were caught on video running loose in the private village. After being returned to its owner who resides in the village, one of the ostriches was reported to have died due to stress.
Today, the owner’s legal counsel said that the meat of the deceased ostrich was cooked into adobo.
Following the news, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) called for an investigation over the ostrich’s death. “Iresponsable ang pagluto at pag-consume sa kahit anong hayop na namatay on its own without determining ‘yung cause of death,” stated the animal rights group.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said last Aug. 9 that the other ostrich was turned over to the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. The ostrich in the government animal shelter harbors no injuries and is said to be in good health.
[READ: Who let the ostriches out and is it even legal to have them as pets?]
DENR previously said that the owner lacks a legal permit to keep the wild animals in his home. According to a transport permit and a veterinary certificate presented by the owner, the two birds came from a registered ostrich breeder in Misamis Oriental and were supposedly shipped to Nueva Ecija.
According to DENR National Capital Region executive director Jacqueline Caancan, this transport permit does not explain why the two ostriches were in Quezon City.
Header photo from DENR via Inquirer.net
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Writer: YANN MAGCAMIT
