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CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, South Africa — Competitive cyclists are accustomed to racing one another. But a popular YouTube video shows just how strange a race can get when an ostrich decides to join.
The video was posted by a Switzerland-based cyclist named Oleksiy Mishchenko. According to a report from The National Geographic, Mishchenko was in South Africa to compete in the Cape Argus Tour. He and some friends were riding on the Cape of Good Hope when they passed a pair of ostriches.
One of the ostriches, a male, suddenly sprinted onto the road and began chasing Mishchenko’s friends. As the bizarre scene unfolded, Mishchenko filmed the action with a GoPro camera.
Although the chase reached speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, Mishchenko said he never felt his friends were in danger.
"It didn't cross my mind that it could be a threat," he told The National Geographic. "The guy seemed totally cool. I don't think he was scared because he didn't try to change directions or escape."
So what prompted the ostrich to pursue the cyclists? Mishchenko speculated that the bird might have been showing off for its mate. Biologist Craig Packer, a professor at the University of Minnesota, told The National Geographic that Mishchenko’s explanation may be accurate.
Packer added a theory of his own.
“It's possible it was confusing the cyclists with female ostriches,” he said.
Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. He is also the author of the book "Rhino Trouble." You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.
