A feathered friend was brought to Terrace Road Veterinary Hospital after it was found in an injured and paralysed condition.
The barn owl found in Centurion on August 19 was taken to well-known Edenvale veterinarian Dr Shabeer Bhoola, on the same day, by SA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (SAWRC).
Vanessa Davis, from SAWRC, said the owl, believed to be between three and six years old, was referred to them by the Owl Rescue Centre.
After the owl was assessed by Bhoola, it was found that the bird had swelling in the spine and chest area which caused temporary paralysis.
X-rays at the veterinary hospital confirmed the bird had no broken bones.
“The information we received was that someone had come across the owl, which was known to be nesting in a roof with its partner.
“SAWRC believes one of the two owls were purposefully injured as there were (blue paint) impact marks on the beak and head as though it was hit with a pole or stick.”
Davis said if the owl had struck a solid object like a window or car it would have different injuries.
“The partnering barn owl is also still missing and they usually return to their nesting site – even after a slight disruption,” she said.
As a rehabilitation centre, SAWRC attends to a variety of cases.
They range from human and animal conflict, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confiscations of illegally kept animals and birds colliding with cars, fences or windows.
Davis said birds are also brought in because they were fed the wrong diet, which can cause a metabolic bone disorder.
“When it comes to owls though, people are more inclined to try and kill them due to superstitions surrounding owls.”
Davis explained that the injured barn owl was not reported to the NSPCA.
“There is no one person or group of people the NSPCA can hold accountable for the damage sustained.”
Bhoola said the barn owl was one of several large wild birds brought to him in recent weeks for a medical assessment.
Within a week of each other, he attended to another barn owl and a crow.
“The crow had an open fracture of its radius and ulna bones which needed medical attention.”
After cleaning the wound and removing clotted blood, necrotic tissue was found around the crow’s injury.
There were also shattered bone fragments in the wound which needed to be removed.
“After the bones were pinned into their original position, we created an external fixture to hold the bones in place.
“The crow’s wing was also restrained to prevent it from opening.”
Bhoola explained that the fixture was put in place to reduce movement of the bones.
He said because the bone fragmented there was a gap in one of the crow’s bones.
Before the crow can be released or can fly, the bone will need to heal and rejoin.
The barn owl treated by Bhoola before August 19 had similar injuries to the crow.
Because the injuries were on the tip of the wing, where a human’s wrist would be, Bhoola said the owl’s injury was easier to treat.
“In one month close to 100 birds ranging from loeries, barbets, sparrows and hadadas can be brought in by community members.
“Larger birds like falcons, crows and owls are often brought in by rescue centres.”
Bhoola said the veterinary hospital is fortunate that its staff is trained to do orthopaedic surgery.
“We are blessed to have the skills and resources to help animals.”
Bhoola urged community members who find injured wild birds to take them for medical treatment as soon as possible.
“Complications can arise if someone tries to provide care to the bird and may not entirely know what they are doing or the full extent of the bird’s injuries.”
Bhoola explained that because birds have very little muscle tissue surrounding their bones, it can take their broken bones longer to heal.
Davis said the greatest threat to owls includes:
• Poisoning.
• Superstition or damage caused by humans.
• Collisions with vehicles.
• Flying into razor wire or barbed wire fencing.
• Cats and dogs injuring young owls before they are fledged.
