WATCH Cape Town Mom in ‘Ostrich Hostage’ Situation in Eastern Cape, South Africa

A Cape Town mother and her daughter were held hostage by ostriches in the Eastern Cape on Sunday!

Amanda Stergianos told SAPeople: “I travelled up to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape to visit my daughter who is a boarder there.

“We decided to stay in accommodation on an estate called Fort Beaufort, 20 minutes from town – known to have warthog, gemsbok, wildebeest and buck.

“When it was time to catch my flight back to Cape Town, we tried to get to the car… when these curious ostriches approached our deck.

“Aware that they can have a deadly strike with their strong legs and claw toes, we retracted back into the cottage… and had to wait out their 45-minute visit, in which they unapologetically investigated our luggage and pecked at the windows!

“When we finally managed to shoo them off with waving blankets in the air, we sat in the car breathlessly marvelling at the joy of living in Africa – and very nearly missing my flight!”

WATCH Cape Town Mom Caught in Ostrich Hostage Situation

Amanda and her daughter were lucky to escape unscathed.

wikiHow actually has a page dedicated to “How to survive an encounter with an ostrich”! The site says that although Africa’s large flightless birds don’t prey on humans, they have been known to injure and even kill when provoked.

“Extremely fast on foot, they can deliver mortal blows by the sheer force of their legs, never mind the lethally sharp talons at their toes. The best thing you can do is steer clear of them. Failing that, ducking for cover and hiding works best. As a last resort, you may even have to fight them.”