Up to 20 rhea birds running free on housing estate in Hertfordshire

The birds were spotted near the M25 at Maple Cross

Officials have warned people not to approach the “very fast” and “aggressive” animals (file picture) (Caters News Agency)

Police have today warned the public that up to 20 rhea birds are on the loose and running wild on a housing estate in Hertfordshire.

The birds were spotted near the M25 at Maple Cross and officials have warned people not to approach the “very fast” and “aggressive” animals, after reports they have already attacked dogs and deer.

Hertfordshire Police have tried to find the owners of the birds but have concluded that they are wild. Officers said they are working to capture and re-home the birds.

On social media locals have compared the large flightless birds to “roadrunner” from the long-running Looney Tunes cartoon in which a hungry coyote is outsmarted by a rapid bird who makes the sound “meep meep”.

Rheas are native to South America and are similar to an ostrich in appearance, but slightly smaller. They are sometimes kept as pets in the UK and there have been instances of them escaping owners in the past.

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PC Christian Gottmann, from the Rickmansworth and District Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “These birds are certainly an unusual sight on the streets of Three Rivers, and we want to reassure the public that we are working in partnership Three Rivers District Council, Highways and our Rural Operational Support Team to come up with a plan to capture and rehome the birds to a suitable animal reserve.

“Enquiries are ongoing but if you think you may be able to help with this, please get in touch with us. In the meantime, we would advise the public not to approach these animals as they are very fast, much like their larger counterparts, and can be aggressive if cornered.

“Unfortunately we have received reports of them attacking dogs and deer, so we ask that dog owners are vigilant when out walking.”