An ostrich being kept as a domestic pet in Malé City has been found.
The issue came to light after a photo of a man with an ostrich was circulated on social media. The ostrich in the photo is believed to be about five feet tall. The man also made public the permit issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture to keep the bird.
Speaking about the issue, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Nasrullah Hussain told the media that the bird was allowed to be kept on a bird farm and that the Ministry had not issued permission to keep it at home. Therefore, the matter is being investigated, he said.
Nasrullah said that although the permit to keep ostriches in Maldives was issued, the permit was issued only to a poultry farm. No permits were issued to allow the bird to be kept as a domestic pet, he said.
