Nearly 200 ostriches swept away from Central Texas ranch during devastating flooding

VALLEY MILLS, Texas (KWTX) - Superior Ostrich, a ranch in between Clifton and Waco, is asking the community for help after nearly 200 ostriches went missing during this week’s devastating flooding in Bosque County.

A Facebook post with their most recent update said they were able to locate 32 birds that are now safely back at their ranch. They have also confirmed that 12 of their ostriches have passed away.

“Thank you to everyone who has shared our post, commented, and reached out to offer help. Your support has been incredible and it’s making a difference!” a Facebook post states.

The post said they estimate around 80-90 are still unaccounted for.

Ranch owner Reg Lindbergh told KWTX he was totally caught by surprise.

“It happened during the night and the water came up real fast. A part of my crew wasn’t there at the time. By the time we got there, the birds have already been swept away,” Lindbergh said, “Cattle have also been swept away.”

Lindbergh said the ordeal is particularly devastating to him because he was born and raised at the ranch and they have been “raising birds a good 30 years.”

He said before the storms, his ranch had over 1,000 ostriches that supported his red meat alternative business since 2013.

Lindbergh said the ranch was passed down from his grandfather who found it in 1906, which makes the unfortunate incident even more personal.

“Sick, sick to the stomach. Because we’ve worked so hard trying to raise these animals, they’re not easy animals to raise. You put a lot of money into them, and when you have something like this happen, it’s devasting,” said Lindbergh.

A Facebook post said their team is actively working with local volunteers to locate the remaining birds by searching the surrounding areas by helicopter.

“My gratitude for people wanting to help, that’s the first thing that comes to my mind. I’ve had people call me that I have no idea who they are. If we could just locate where they are then we can come and pick them up. Get them out of the people’s hair.”

If you see any ostriches in Bosque County, please contact the ranch immediately at 214-514-3934 or send them a message on Facebook.

Superior Ostrich is continuing to ask for the communities help to locate the remaining birds especially between Valley Mills and Lake Waco along the Bosque River.

“Do not approach them as they might be scared or defensive,” the ranch’s social media post states. “Our ranch team is experienced in handling the birds and we have volunteers with trailers ready to assist with transport.“

They say any and all information is valuable and encourage the community to continue sharing the Facebook posts.

The ranch is located at 1093 CR 3310, in Valley Mills, Texas.

WATCH: KWTX News 10 viewer Derek Crunk recorded this aerial footage of a boat on Highway 6 on the west side of Valley Mills, Texas, on Sunday, May 5, 2024: