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Nandu Longbottom in Heiningen: Fascination and adventure in the town!
An escaped rhea was successfully captured in Heiningen. Details about sightings and the search on June 17, 2025.
Nandu Longbottom in Heiningen: Fascination and adventure in the town!
On June 17, 2025, a surprising incident occurred in Heiningen, Wolfenbüttel district: A rhea named “Longbottom” escaped from its enclosure. This was reported by the Wolfenbüttel police station. The escape occurred on Sunday evening, but the bird was not seen and finally caught by its owner until the following Monday, June 17th, around 12:00 p.m.
The search for the escaped rhea was initially difficult. The last sightings of the animal were reported in a wheat field and at the cemetery in Dorstadt. Residents and road maintenance employees took part in the search operations. Despite the use of drones, the rhea remained missing for a day, increasing concerns for its safety.
Emergency forces and security measures
However, thanks to the emergency services and the support of the local population, “Longbottom” was recaptured. The police and the owner had previously urged people to report sightings of rheas and pointed out that the animal can be defensive if it feels threatened. An approach should therefore be avoided. Fortunately, it turned out that the escaped rhea posed no acute danger.
Rheas are large, flightless birds from South America that are related to ostriches and emus. These animals are known for their impressive speed and can run up to 60 kilometers per hour. This posed a particular challenge in the rural environment, as increased attention was required in traffic in order to avoid possible accidents.
Successful return to the enclosure
With the help of the dedicated helpers, “Longbottom” was finally returned to his enclosure safe and sound. The owner and the authorities are relieved about the positive outcome of the search. Another similar incident in the region could raise awareness, especially as the rheas' fast-running nature may continue to pose challenges in rural areas.
Overall, this event shows how important it is for residents, police and authorities to work together to repatriate lost pets. Visitors and residents of Heiningen can now be happy that “Longbottom” is safely back home.
For further information on the story, please also read the reporting by Freenet as well as daily news.