Stray ostrich roams Seongnam before capture

An ostrich escaped from a nearby ecological park is spotted on a road in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

An ostrich on the loose was spotted roaming the streets of Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Tuesday, much to the befuddlement of morning commuters.

The ostrich, believed to have escaped from a nearby ecological park earlier, was seen scampering down a road alongside vehicles in Seongnam's Jungwon District at around 9:30 a.m.

People quickly shared photos and videos of the wayward ostrich, even spotted passing through Daewon Tunnel with morning traffic, on social media.

Police and firefighter authorities captured the ostrich with a net near a factory at 10:24 a.m.

No reports of injuries or property damage were made, police said, confirming that the ostrich was safely returned to the ecological park.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]