Warsaw, Aug 13: A Polish ostrich farmer is demanding damages from balloonists he says scared one of his birds to death, reported a news agency. The farmer says his ostriches panicked at the sight of the approaching hot air balloon. One ran into a building, fatally wounding itself, while another escaped never to be seen again.
He is demanding 12,400 Zlotys (3,200 dollars) damages from the balloon pilots who landed near the farm during a competition two years ago near the central city of Lodz. At a hearing on yesterday in the district court of Lodz, the farmer said the dead birds cost him 15,000 Zlotys, although he was able to sell meat from the dead one.
Ostrich meat is becoming increasingly popular in the eastern European ex-communist country. Bureau Report