An emotional farewell unfolded in Ademasajida village, Wajir West, when Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers took away an ostrich from a woman who had raised it from a tiny chick. The removal brought a heartbreaking end to an unlikely, year-long bond.
Abdia Ali Ibrahim broke down in tears as officers led the bird away from her homestead. She had rescued and protected the young bird during a devastating regional drought that wiped out massive herds of livestock and local wildlife.
“I love this bird. She is part of my family,” she said between sobs. “I raised her with love, commitment, and sacrifice during the drought. I would still prefer to keep her, but the law will not allow it. It is painful to see her gone.”
A Rescue Born of Crisis
Abdia discovered the orphaned chick when it was only a couple of days old. Despite facing severe food shortages within her own household, she took the bird in, fed it, and sheltered it. She named the ostrich Aisha (also referred to as Asha). Over the next year, the bird became a beloved member of the household, wandering freely around the compound and living alongside the family.
As the ostrich matured into a fully grown adult, KWS officials intervened, noting that the Somali ostrich is a protected species. By law, individuals cannot hold such wildlife in private custody without specialized permits.
KWS rangers praised Abdia for saving the bird’s life but explained that Aisha had to move to a dedicated wildlife sanctuary to live among her own species and support conservation breeding efforts.
Sparking a National Conversation
A video of the tearful goodbye quickly went viral, igniting a national debate about the intersection of wildlife conservation, law, and human compassion.
Renowned hotelier Mohamed Hersi argued that Kenya’s current legal framework already supports wildlife user rights. He questioned why authorities could not register and license Abdia to keep the bird under regulated, safe conditions instead of executing an immediate seizure.
Garissa Woman Representative Amina Udgoon Siyad lauded Abdia’s humanity, saying, “This mother did not just raise an ostrich; she nurtured it with love until it became family.” She pledged to personally reward Abdia for her extraordinary kindness.
Conservationists maintain that a sanctuary is the best environment for a mature ostrich to thrive. Still, the empty space in Abdia’s yard serves as a quiet reminder of a unique companion she nurtured through the hardest of times.
The post “She Is Part of My Family”: Wajir Woman’s Bond With Rescued Ostrich Ends in Emotional Goodbye appeared first on Bossnana.
