Zoo Miami’s last remaining ostrich dies at age 27. The cause of death is unknown.
For more than two decades, a more than seven-foot-tall ostrich named Red called Zoo Miami home.
The flightless bird was known to share a habitat with the giraffes and zebras and for turning red — hence its name — during breeding season.
“Though not particularly intelligent as a species, Red stole the hearts of his keepers with his antics,” said Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s spokesman.
Red, who was 27, was found dead Wednesday by his keepers. A necropsy was completed, but there “was no initial obvious cause of death determined,” the zoo said.
Magill said more in-depth testing is being done on tissue samples in hopes of getting a better answer for Red’s death. The tests will likely take several weeks.
The ostrich came to Zoo Miami in August of 1996. Ostriches, which are the largest bird, are known for having speeds over 40 miles an hour.
“Over the years, he had become a personal favorite of the zookeepers who cared for him,” Magill said.
Among his antics, Magill said: Red “could be heard making a characteristic ‘booming’ sound and then seen ‘dancing’ in front of his keepers as a form of courting them!”
With the loss of Red, Zoo Miami no longer has any ostriches.
“He was the last remaining ostrich at Zoo Miami and his loss has left a large hole in the hearts of his keepers and those who had the privilege of knowing him,” Magill said.
This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 5:57 PM.
