People in north-east Norfolk have been urged to keep a lookout for a gang of roaming rheas which escaped from a farm.
The creatures were last seen in Stalham earlier this week, but sightings of the birds have since dried up.
Rheas, which are large flightless birds distantly related to ostriches and emus, can run at speeds up to 50mph - and experts say they could have travelled as far as 10 miles away from the farm already.
READ MORE: Search party launched to rescue wild rheas marauding the streets of Norfolk town
Residents in nearby areas - such as Hickling, Catfield, Potter Heigham, Ludham, Horning, Neatished and Worsted - have all been warned to keep an eye out for the runaway birds.
Experts say they could have even travelled as far as Wroxham, Horning, North Walsham, Mundesley, Happisburgh, Hembsy, and Acle, which all fall within a 10-mile radius of the farm.
Wildlife expert Kevin Murphy, of Norfolk Wildlife Rescue, said the birds could run the length of a football pitch every time they become spooked.
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“They may have travelled up to 10 miles away already,” he said.
“They’re kept as pets but they’re wild animals, so they can be unpredictable.”
Twelve rheas escaped the farm in the early hours of Wednesday morning before being spotted in people’s front gardens and marauding through the streets in Lyndford Road, Stalham.
Five of the birds are still on the loose.
“Up close they can be intimidating," Mr Murphy added.
"If they want to kick or peck you, they will – and it will hurt.
“Getting kicked by a rhea is like getting kicked by a horse. They’ve got claws as well so they can inflict some serious damage.
“They are a prey animal so they will defend themselves. It’s in their nature – it’s fight or flight with animals.
“Don’t recklessly try to catch them or jump on their backs. It must be a really coordinated effort to catch them safely."
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