Lost: Grey Bird Male In East Anglia (NR14)

  • Dog ID 103807
  • Status Lost
  • Registered 21 Aug 2016
  • Name LAWRENCE THE RHEA
  • Gender & Breed Male Bird
  • Age
  • Colour Grey
  • Marks & Scars
  • Tagged Unknown
  • Microchipped Unknown
  • Tattooed Unknown
  • Date Lost 16 Aug 2016
  • Where Lost Norton Marshes, Low Road (close to Norton Subcourse, nr. Thurlton and Reedham Ferry) Norfolk.
  • Lost In Region East Anglia
  • Lost In Post Area NR14
  • Date Reunited
  • Other Info
  • Listed By Helen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
  • Views 8021
  •   LAWRENCE THE RHEA Poster Image
  •   LAWRENCE THE RHEA Extra Image

 

Sightings and Information

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Hollieberry
Any update please ?
Jane
Shared Twittered
Unknown
Is it possible tnhat the owner can get a recording of a Rhea. I read somewhere that this can attrct a bird back.
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
There has been a Rhea sighted between Chillesford and Orfordon the B1084 in Suffolk, I have let Lawrence's owner know and he is looking into this sighting, regardless if this Lawrence or not this bird needs to be caught and brought to safety

Link to the sighting....
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154085817187687&set=a.382796117686.173160.573042686&type=3&theater
LYDNSYD
Not sure if the Rhea sharon57blue (Eric) has mentioned is this missing bird, According to reports ..Eric had been missing since Dec 2014
sharon57blue
According to teletext last night this bird (real name Eric) is back at home with owner x
Jane
Shared Twittered
Ashley
Thank you for your kind words Baydogs, it's hugely appreciated.

The same person spoke to me directly last night at around 18:10hrs and told me he saw the Rhea last on 28th December.

I am aware of reports that someone else has caught the Rhea and may be claiming it as their own and I relayed this to the man. He didn't acknowledge what I told him and today appears to be saying that he saw the Rhea on 3rd January. Police are unaware of any sightings since the date when its rumoured to have been caught.

I presently have no further details but believe this last 'sighting' should be treated with extreme caution.

Thank you for all your great efforts, this continues to be an extremely unusual journey.
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
Just spoken to a man who saw Lawrence on Tuesday (3rd of January) at Newton, CB25, this is very close to where he has been sighted previously.
Baydogs
Hello Ashley. Thanks for the update.

You must really love Lawrence; not only do you travel miles and employ an international zoo vet to bring him/her to safety you are also prepared to then relinquish his valued company to a sanctuary that can provide a more suitable environment than you can.
Putting Lawrences' needs before your own shows (in my opinion) real unselfish love.

I'm glad that you have some experienced volunteers on stand-by too. Hoping for good news soon. Please continue to keep us updated.
Ashley
Hello Everyone,

Thank you so much for your support. I am sorry I have been quiet for a few days, its been a pretty difficult time and I have struggled.

Despite employing the services of an international zoo vet with a tranquiliser dart, we were unsuccessful on Friday, however whilst presently still on the loose, progress is being made.

The last sightings that I am aware of are in the Newton, Thriplow, Fowlmere and more recently Melbourn and Shepreth area in fields. These locations are all very close to each other (especially for a long-legged Rhea) and appear to all be in a triangular shape in the near vicinity where he has been spotted for the last 7 days.

Despite evading efforts to capture last Friday, there is a wonderful animal sanctuary willing to provide a new home where another 5 Rheas already live in a good environment with room to run. I am also delighted to have some wonderful animal rescue volunteers with experience of capturing Rheas willing to help if we get another positive sighting.

Thank you once again for your support and efforts, I am hopeful we will get reach a very positive outcome - Thank you!
Hollieberry
Any news on Lawrence please ?
Baydogs
So it IS Lawrence! I was wondering how Ashley got on today.
Thanks for the link Sharon :)
DogLostSharon - Social Media Volunteer
This was posted on the page:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-38454589
It will keep you updated on how the rescue is getting on.
Lawrence has travelled around 80 miles to get where she is now & they are just waiting on a vet to help with the rescue. X
Ashley
Thank you Sharon and Jane! ☺️

DogLostSharon - Social Media Volunteer
I have shared with DL FB Page, Twitter & Public. I hope Lawrence is safely back at home soon. X
Jane
Shared Twittered
Ashley
Thank you Baydogs and Helen, hugely appreciated!

Yes, I hatched Lawrence from an egg and he's been a wonderful pet for the last 4 years. He's greatly missed and is an adorable chap!
Baydogs
Thank you Jayne

Ashley, if you are a Facebook member it would be a good idea to join the Cambridge Doglost FB so that you can respond to any enquiries or offers of help-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/doglostcambridgeshire/
DogLostJayne - Founder Doglost.
Further alerts sent to helpers in SG8. CB10,11,22,23.
Baydogs
Thank you Helen.
Have also just sent an email to Admin re alerts to SG8 area.
Would be wonderful if this Rhea is Lawrence and he can be returned safely home - Ashley has had him since he was an egg I believe!
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
Yes, I think this is a first for Dog Lost Baydogs!

I have shared on to Dog Lost Cambridge facebook group in case there is anybody in the area that can help x
Baydogs
Thanks for the bump Helen. Is this a doglost first? :)
Baydogs
***Admin*** would it be possible please for alerts to be sent to the SG8 (Fowlmere) area regarding Ashley's trip tomorrow (See post below) to see if there is anyone in that area that could give him a hand catching this Rhea - if it is indeed Lawrence.
Thank you.
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
I am bumping Lawrence's page up to the top because of this possible sighting and will re-share over facebook x
Ashley
It's very difficult to say for certain without seeing him in the flesh (feathers), but from the photos on ITV and BBC he looks identical to Lawrence and has had months to travel, therefore I've now been in touch with local police and the RSPCA and I'm trying to investigate it further.

I haven't yet contacted the media because if it's not him I don't want to waste people's time however I am now planning to travel to this area first thing tomorrow to search the area.

If anyone knows people that could help capture him if he is spotted it would be great to hear from you so I can get in touch if there is good news.

Thank you again for your support, it's hugely appreciated!
Baydogs
So you think this Rhea might be Lawrence after all Ashley?
Do you think it would help if the media were contacted again to follow this up? You may get some more sightings if they do.
Ashley
Thank you for the messages and wonderful support from doglost.co.uk, it's been greatly appreciated!

Today I have been contacted by a handful of friends and other contacts who have seen media reports of Rhea sighted near Cambridge. Now that I have seen photos I think there is a very close I likeness to Lawrence and therefore I have been contact with the RSPCA and hope to hear back from them shortly.

Whilst it seems unlikely that Laurence has walked 80 miles or more from where he was last seen, he has been missing since the 16th August and therefore it is possible. If you spot the Rhea seen last near Thorplow and Fowlmere please do not hesitate to contact me, I would really appreciate your call.

Thank you everyone!
Hollieberry
Forgive me for asking but can you recognise one Rhea from another specially from a distance ?
Baydogs
Had a fast text in reply, with thanks for the alert, but the owner feels that this distance would be too far for Lawrence. He also added that there are several Rheas roaming in North Norfolk.
Lawrence is still missing.
Baydogs
Sent owner text re below, as it has been some time, and they may not think to look at emails.
Thanks for that Jennig. Any more info?
Jennig
Hi - not sure if Lawrence has been found but a rhea has been spotted today in fields near Fowlmere in Cambridgshire.
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
ITV Anglia News link:
http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/update/2016-08-22/appeal-to-find-giant-bird-after-it-escaped-from-owners-garden/
caring4dogs
twitter
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
Lawrence has just been featured on the ITV Anglia News.
Bumping his page because of this.
ClaireC
Not sure if already done, but what about contacting local bird watching organisations in the area. Also the Wildlife Trust nearby may be able to put some posters up for you around their area! Hope Lawrence comes home soon.
DogLostRiverlady
circulating on twitter........LAWRENCE THE RHEA Grey MISSING http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=103807#.V7qpxGWtWi5 … #Norton Marshes Low Rd close to Subcourse nr #Thurlton #Reedham Ferry #Norfolk Plz RT
Baydogs
Also on BBC news-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-37116762
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
Lawrence has been featured in the local newspaper (Eastern Daily Press) and hopefully will be featured on Anglia News tomorrow.
Baydogs
Have had a chat with the owner and have the following details which may help: -

Lawrence is a Lesser Rhea, who measures (to the top of his head) about five feet when standing. From about 8pm onwards, he will sit down on the ground and fold himself up with his head back into his body (like a swan) and resemble a grey heap. Like this, he measures about twice the size of a swan. Sometime around 3am he will get up and start meandering around looking for food and water. This will continue until about midday, when he will have another rest for a while before resuming his meandering. However, if scared, these birds can move FAST. They cannot fly but have really powerful legs.

This Rhea will not pose any danger to anyone unless he is grabbed and restrained. Then he may accidentally hurt someone with his powerful legs attempting to escape. He is timid by nature, and will prefer to run from any perceived threat.

They are generally social birds inasmuch as they may seek out deer for company.

His food will be green; he will graze on grass or crops and be attracted to sources of water.

Although a large bird, he may be difficult to spot due to his grey colour which may camouflage him against a natural background such as the marshes. To spot this bird, a pair of binoculars are generally necessary, and if you do please simply watch from a distance and ring the above number.

The owner has good support from the local gamekeeper and farmers who will help come and catch him.

Good to talk to you Owner. Hope this helps and Lawrence is soon safely home :)
THERE IS A £200 REWARD FOR HIS SAFE RETURN ALIVE AND WELL.Last edited: 2016-08-21 20:30:55 by Baydogs
Unknown
Claws xd.
DogLostJayne - Founder Doglost.
Alerts sent to helpers in NR13,14,31,32,34.
Unknown
Beautiful bird. Think you would remember seeing him!. Hurry home Lawrence.
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
Details added to Dog Lost Norfolk and Suffolk facebook group and other groups in the area.
Twitter requested.
DogLostHelen - Regional Co-ordinator - Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge
Lawrence the Rhea missing in South Norfolk area, last seen on Norton Marshes which backs onto Low Road (close to Norton Subcourse, nr. Thurlton and Reedham Ferry).

£200 reward for his return alive and well is offered.
Admin
Sorry to see that LAWRENCE THE RHEA is missing.
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