Bird-riding tourists have wings clipped

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Clambering onto an ostrich for a ride used to be popular among tourists in a South African town known as the "ostrich capital of the world."

Not so much anymore.

Two major ostrich farms in the Oudtshoorn area have stopped offering rides to tourists, responding to concerns from European clients and others about the birds' welfare. A third farm is sticking with the feature, saying its regulations include tourist weight restrictions and that an ostrich does not experience discomfort while trotting with someone on its back for 10 seconds or so.