Chris the rhea still on the loose since Christmas escape

Have you spotted the bird - last seen in the Foxton/Newton area?

The rhea, a flightless bird similar to an ostrich, has been missing since Christmas Day, thwarting ongoing efforts to recapture it.

The RSPCA was called by the police on December 25, however no officers were available to respond.

In a statement a spokesperson said:"Police in Cambridgeshire contacted us on Christmas Day for help trying to catch a rhea in the Thriplow area. We always try to help if possible however we have to prioritise sick and injured animals and all our officers were already busy dealing with other emergencies so we were unable to send anyone."

South Cambridgeshire police confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday (December 28) that bird is still at large, saying:"Allegedly shouted fool if you think it's over, let's dance & is now looking for summer, nowt to fear."

Nothing to fear is an allusion to a Chris Rea song - but when a rhea went missing last year, the RSPCA released a statement warning members of the public to be cautious of the animal, which can be dangerous as they are"strong, fast and have sharp claws".

It has been sighted in Foxton, Fowlmere and Newton. The owner has not yet been located.