Twelve years ago on a summer day, junior Kevin Weggenmann went to the Saint Louis Zoo with his mom, Gretchen Weggemann. As a three year old, Kevin entered the Bird House and Garden, not knowing he was about to face his greatest fear. When he laid eyes on the 7-foot tall monster with eyes that can beat anyone in a staring contest, he began, as his mom puts it, to “freak out.”
“My greatest fear is an ostrich,” Kevin said. “They’re scary, and their eyes freak me out, the way they follow you around.”
Ever since that fatal day he cringes at the sight of one.
Friends waste no time poking fun at the unique fear. Kevin’s best friend of five years, Mason Baker, loves sending him pictures of the flightless birds just to see his reaction.
“It is a weird fear,” Kevin said. “You don’t hear about people fearing them, but as long as they are on earth, I will still be afraid of them.”
