Barn owlets find new home at Steyn City School
Brought from the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, three barn owls will be released from their owl box in 20 – 25 days’ time once strong enough.
Three barn owlets have a new home at Steyn City School and are scheduled for release soon.
The school has been a part of Eco Solutions’ release project, Owl Project, for a number of years.
Sara Orchardson of Eco Solutions gave a brief talk to some of the learners who were present to see the owlets put into the school’s owl box on May 30.
“Schools are, in essence, perfect release sites for owls because they are quiet at night, there are large sports fields and [the owls] will use the grounds as a nursery. They’ll strengthen their wings and practise their hunting.
“Fortunately, at schools, there will always be a bit of litter as they try their best not to have any. The litter attracts rats, so there is always food for the owls. The Chartwell/Fourways areas has a lot of open grounds and stables which is good for rats,” she said.
The owlets were being cared for by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital before being given to Eco Solutions.
“The vets gave the owls a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, they couldn’t go back to where they were collected from, so the second-best thing is a release programme. Once the owls are healthy, fit and eating by themselves, Owl Project will facilitate the release.”
Learners will get to feed and monitor the owls for the next 20 to 25 days before they are released, which gives them a chance to learn about owls.
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