Flooding at Chai Nat farm endangers over 30 ostriches

Heavy rain from morning until evening led to a flood at Khongphop Farm in Chai Nat, affecting various animals, including over 30 ostriches. Provincial livestock officials and quarantine officers scrambled to rescue the animals, facing challenges from the frightened ostriches.

Continuous downpours for more than four hours yesterday, September 2, caused flash floods at Khongphop Farm, located in Moo 4, Rai Phatthana, Manorom district, Chai Nat. The floodwaters inundated the farm, which houses many animals such as goats, sheep, and meat rabbits. The ostriches, numbering over 30, were particularly distressed as they struggled in the rising water.

Officials arrived on the scene around 5pm, armed with equipment to move the animals to safety. The large size and skittish nature of the ostriches made the task daunting. Workers had to blindfold the birds and carefully support their wings to move them. Despite these precautions, many officials sustained injuries from the ostriches’ kicks and pecks.

The farm’s owner, Prasert Kongkhun, explained the cause of the flooding.

“The heavy rainfall last night, which continued into this morning, resulted in this unusual flooding. Normally, we don’t experience such severe floods here, it’s usually flash floods from another village. If there’s no more rain, I expect the water to recede in three to four days.”

He noted that the farm’s other animals, such as meat rabbits, goats, and sheep, suffered less impact because they were kept in raised pens. However, the ostriches, which are kept on the ground, face significant distress. Prasert mentioned that the farm had elevated the ground, but the sheer volume of water this year overwhelmed their preparations, reported KhaoSod.

“We house our meat rabbits, goats, and sheep in raised pens and cages, so they experience minimal impact. But our ostriches, which are kept on elevated ground, faced sudden flooding. The water came from above, and we couldn’t drain it fast enough.”