KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A new flock has arrived at Zoo Knoxville, with six new ostriches taking over what was formerly the rhino yard.
Zoo Knoxville announced the herd’s debut Friday morning, sharing that guests can now see some of the world’s largest bird species just across from the newly opened Rhino Reserve. The zoo announced that plans are also underway to introduce an interactive feeding experience, which could tentatively launch on weekends as early as this fall.
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Inside the former rhino yard, the ostriches can be seen striding, dust bathing, exploring, and showing off their powerful legs that make the ostriches the fastest birds on land. Although the species isn’t able to fly, the ostriches’ powerful legs allow them to sprint at speeds up to 45 miles per hour, as well as defend themselves by kicking.
The species is also known for their large eyes, which are bigger than its brain, Zoo Knoxville explained. To protect their eyes from dust, ostriches also have naturally long eyelashes.
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Zoo Knoxville shared that ostriches are native to the open grasslands and savannas of Africa. At the zoo, the ostrich enclosure features varied terrain for roaming and multiple shaded areas to help them stay cool in the heat or dry during rainy weather. Zoo Knoxville said those features provide the herd with enrichment and support their natural behaviors.
In their natural habitat, ostriches are not endangered, but the species is facing challenges because of habitat loss and human encroachment…