Children of Zenzeleni, Iphutheng, Carter and Minerva Secondary schools are becoming future leaders in the conservation of the nation’s dwindling natural resources.
This as demand is increasing for the preservation of what remains of the ecosystem which is under attack from global warming and the increased development of land.
The learners have been involved in an owl conservation project for several years. The nocturnal bird species is under threat due to myths and beliefs which associate them with witchcraft and casting of spells. The destruction of their habitat is also adding to their plight.
Delina Chipepa of NPO Owl Project recently hosted eight children of Zenzelini and Iphutheng and others at Birdlife SA’s African Bird Fair at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
“They [children] displayed their art products and designs on owl conservation since 2016,” said Chipepa. “The displays, also [shown] annually in Alex, reflect in a fun way the children’s knowledge about the value and importance of the bird, their deepening knowledge of environmental education and commitment to a partnership in a conservation programme.”
She credited the children for using the project to promote environmental management from a young age and spreading a positive message about the birds to society when they nurture and release rehabilitated ones back into their preferred habitat.
“As they feed at night on rodents, rats and mice which are plentiful in Alex, they reduce health hazards and danger to babies who the rats nibble on.”
Chipepa suspected that it was mostly the older generation who believed in the myths. “The children’s knowledge about the birds assists to dispel this perception. They [children], who are reached in their thousands, in-turn share this positive information with thousand of parents.”
Providing some information on owls, Chipepa said each owl could hatch up to 15 owlets twice per year depending on food availability and safe nesting places which the organisation provides through cages placed at participating schools.
There are 12 species of owls in the country and all are carnivores with others dieting on lizards, fish and insects. The huge population of rats in Alex provides a perfect habitat for the birds which can consume three rats and the growing owlets can eat four rats per night.
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