Remember when Ostriches arrived in Luseland?

By Joan Janzen

More than a couple of decades ago, Triple ‘S’ Rhea Farms at Luseland were the talk of the town when they brought twenty South American Ostriches or Rheas to their farm. Brad Schlosser, along with his parents, Len and Dolores, found out about this opportunity from a farm in Crossfield, Alberta.

Pictured in March 1998 (L-R): Len Schlosser, Dolores Schlosser, Dawn Smith, Brad Schlosser and Ron Smith posed in front of a herd of rheas belonging to Triple ‘S’ Farms near Luseland. Photo: West Central Crossroads, March 1998

The oil from the fat of the rhea was used in cosmetics, lip balms, and moisturizers and was the main product of the rhea. The red meat was used for therapeutic soup, and the leather or hide was used to manufacture boots, purses, wallets and belts.

The animals had adapted quite well to Saskatchewan’s climate and were described as low maintenance. The Schlossers held an open house to satisfy the curiosity of all the folks in the area.

The four to five-foot-tall flightless birds were unique in that the male birds would incubate the eggs and raise the offspring until adolescence.