The Brakpan SPCA is always willing to go the extra distance, or in this case height, for animals in need.
Staff and other role players came to the rescue of a juvenile black sparrow hawk that had fallen from its nest in a tree at the State Mines Country Club in Brakpan North last Wednesday.
After receiving numerous messages and calls regarding the bird and that it may be injured, SPCA manager Tamaryn Lombard and inspector Mariska Venter went to assess the situation.
They found the hawk on the ground, desperately trying to get back to its nest. After consulting with various role players, Lombard and Venter tried to find a way to return it to its roost.
“Thank you to Shawn Hefer from RAWR (Reptile and Wildlife Rescue) as well as raptor specialists Pieter and Natasja Saunders for the advice given to our team,” said Lombard.
“They had ropes and crates and all sorts of items to make a pully system to get this creature back to its family.”
After failed attempts, Lombard contacted Riaan van Zyl, PR councillor for the Freedom Front Plus, to help get the assistance of the fire brigade as the height of the nest was about 25m.
“Riaan came in record time and started to call the numerous stakeholders to explain the situation and what we may require,” said Lombard.
“The City of Ekurhuleni sent out an amazing team of men and women with impressive equipment. After about six hours, between the teamwork and effort of the role players, we successfully reunited our special friend with its family.”
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A fire engine lift was used to elevate Lombard and Hefer close to the nest to return the bird. Lombard stated the Brakpan SPCA is fortunate to have good relationships with different stakeholders.
“To be able to assemble a team that was present that night, we can never express our gratitude enough,” she said.
She thanked Venter and SPCA kennel hand Bryan McClintock, Hefer, Van Zyl and his wife Kim, Louis Pretorius, Michael Horn and Japie Bosman from Community Emergency Response Services for ensuring everyone was safe, as well as for providing advice and the necessary protective gear, as well as district manager Maeyana Masoga, shift manager Pierre Hugo, acting shift manager Thandi Machave and firefighters Phuloso Netshidzati, Desmond Sibanyoni and Nondleko Gowana from Ekurhuleni Emergency Services.
“Your efforts and willingness to help us reunite this bird will forever be in our hearts of gratitude. We know that you all fight way more dangerous events but seeing you in action to help an animal is wonderful for us to experience and we want to make sure that the public knows how important you all are to the community,” said Lombard.
“The teamwork experienced was incredible. We want to walk away from this event, not just recognising that an animal was saved, but by people from different backgrounds, organisations, races, genders, and everything in between stood together and worked together for the better.”
Lombard, Venter and trainee inspector Elzette van Zyl returned to the country club the following morning to thank club manager Kevin Jarvis and the committee for being patient and allowing the rescue vehicle on the course.
They also went back to the nest to check on the hawk and were happy to see it still in the nest.
