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Admission Membership
Admission Membership

Opening weekend for Erb Discovery Trails is expected to be busy May 22–25. Pre-purchased tickets and member reservations are strongly encouraged.  Zoo parking may fill early. Learn More

Ostrich

(Struthio camelus)

The Detroit Zoo is home to a rescued male ostrich, the world’s largest bird. Hannibul hatched in 1999 and was acquired by a private owner in Illinois. For the first two years of his life, he was confined to a garage and suffered a severe injury to his left eye. Hannibul was eventually rescued by SASHA Farm, an animal sanctuary in Manchester, Michigan. He moved to the Detroit Zoo in 2015, as the Zoo could provide a larger habitat for him.

On Habitat

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Quick Facts

Habitat: African Forest

Class: Birds

Conservation Status: Least concern

Size: 6 to 9 feet tall

Weight: Up to 350 pounds

Median life expectancy: 10 years

Diet: Leaves, seeds, flowers, fruit and, occasionally, remains left by carnivorous predators