Ostrich Hunting as a Form of Sporting Pursuit in the Nineteenth-Century British Press

Abstract

Since ancient times, animals have been used by man for a variety of purposes. Among these were birds, including flightless birds, led by the ostriches. This article attempts to show the importance of ostrich hunting in different cultures of the world in the nineteenth century, based on publications in the British press. The historical method was used to write the article and the source material for the research was press releases published in Britain. The analysis of the sources showed that English-speaking readers were familiar with the ostrich-hunting customs of various peoples living in South American and African areas. The press materials allowed readers to learn in detail about the course of the hunt or the techniques used to carry it out, which could also indirectly contribute to the inclusion of ostriches as attractions in circus staging programmes. On the other hand, the nomenclature used by the authors of the press articles clearly indicates that ostrich hunting was described as a sport that constituted both high-class entertainment and a profitable enterprise.