Hobbies And Interests
Disease
Few studies have been done on health problems in wild ostrich, but farmed birds are subject to external and internal parasites (ticks and worms) as well as bacterial (hemorrhagic fever) and viral diseases (bird flu and Newcastle's disease). They must be wormed, dusted for parasites and vaccinated against various poultry diseases.
Predation
Cheetahs are probably the main predator of ostriches because only they can outrun them. Ostriches can run 40 miles per hour, but the cheetah's sprint can top 60 mph. Lions, wild dogs and spotted hyenas will take an ostrich if they can catch one. Young ostrich chicks are vulnerable to almost any predator. Ostrich eggs can be taken by banded mongoose and Egyptian vultures.
Hunting
Hunting, both cropping and poaching, was a problem for the ostrich at one time, when the male's spectacular black and white feathers were as sought-after a trade item in South Africa as gold and diamonds. Ostrich farming began in that country in about 1860 and has spread to many parts of the world from India to Canada; this has taken the pressure off the wild ostrich population. Sport hunting accounts for a few specimens each year, but the ostrich is not considered a top game species.
Farming
Ostrich are farmed commercially for many purposes: feathers for the fashion industry, leather for footwear and luggage, oil for skincare products and meat for consumption. Ostrich is considered red meat rather than white, but is said to be lower in calories than chicken or turkey. Recipes recommend that it be cooked like beef, medium rare.