Runaway rhea shot dead in Hertfordshire

A giant South American rhea bird that could disembowel a human with its six-inch claw has been shot dead by a gamekeeper.

The rhea, called Chris after singer Chris Rhea, had been roaming a golf course in Hertfordshire for a month before it was killed.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the bird, which had escaped from its closure, became a common sight at Barkway Park Golf Club near Royston, but when it wandered into a nearby rape seed field deer manager Stuart Howe killed it with a single shot to the head.

Mr Howe said the bird did not suffer and that the meat would be used to make gourmet sausages.

The Daily Mail reports that police became concerned that the rhea would cause a car crash.

The RSCA also issued a warning for the public not to approach the bird. A spokesman said: "Rheas are large birds and have the potential to be dangerous as they are strong, fast and have sharp claws. Our advice to the general public is keep well away and call us or the police if they see the bird."

Howe, 65, told the Daily Telegraph: "I suppose some people might say it is a shame the rhea is dead but it would be terrible if it caused someone to die in a car crash. I saw the rhea near the roadside at one point and it would easily have caused a car to swerve and hit a tree."

The bird belonged to former Page Three girl and show jumper Jo Clark, 53, who was "horrified" that the animal would be killed.

Inspector Paul David of Hertfordshire police said he was "amazed it survived this long".

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