Zookeeper Who Saved Ostrich: I "Did What Had To Be Done"

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Video of a zookeeper plunging into the icy water of a moat at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is making the rounds on YouTube.

Jesse Anna says first he tried his best to guide the bird back to dry land.

"We were trying to guide her with the poles, back to the shallower part where she'd be able to get back out again. The ice kind of prevented her from going back the whole way, and when she hit it, she kind of freaked out a little bit and headed for the deep spot."

In the process, he says the ostrich took his pole.

"It's still in the bottom of the pond now. So I hope it doesn't happen again," Anna says.

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As a final option, he gently slid into the frigid water.

"I knew it was going to be cold," Anna said. "So I kind of got in and did what had to be done."

What had to be done was somehow push the massive bird toward the shore. The struggle was captured by an amateur videographer.

"I was just kind of concentrating on keeping my head above water," the zookeeper recalls.

He finally succeeded. And the moment was captured on YouTube.