Cedar Lakes gives a hoot about owls
FOURWAYS – Volunteers from the Cedar Lakes Estate have been caring for two juvenile barn owls who will soon be released back into the wild.
Two juvenile barn owls are getting a second chance at life in the Cedar Lakes complex as part of EcoSolutions‘ owl release programme.
The two owls, nicknamed Temba and Thandi, are still youngsters and were rescued from inside a building ceiling in Soweto a few weeks ago. After being checked over by staff at the Johannesburg Wildlife Vet, the pair’s care was taken on by volunteers within the estate who will look after them until they are ready to be released into the wild.
On 3 October, EcoSolutions staff visited the site and placed rings on the owls’ legs for research purposes. The owls had been at the estate for about 18 days at the time.
“There are about five people on the project committee who help care for the owls,” said volunteer Jane Bingham. “We each take turns coming down [to the owl’s pen behind the Cedar Lakes clubhouse] in the evening on a rotation basis to feed them.”
The owls are fed chicks through a hole in their pen in order to limit their contact with humans. Food and care are provided by EcoSolutions, who run similar projects throughout Johannesburg along with other environmentally-based programmes.
“I started this project at Cedar Lakes about one year ago,” said resident Mike Prior. “So far we have cared for three pairs of barn owls, one spotted owl and one black-winged kite.
“There is a lot of wildlife [in this section of the property] and residents have shown great interest in the owls, they bring their children down to see them.”
EcoSolutions rings every owl included in the projects so that relevant data on the species can be sent to the South African Ringing Scheme (SAFRing) in Cape Town. Hussein Moyo of the company did the ringing while Prior kept the bird still, and children from the estate who had been playing nearby got to watch the ringing and even give the owls a pat before they were returned to their pen.
“We ring all the owls before we release them,” explained Sara Ochardson, an ecologist with the organisation.
“It means if they are found by anyone else, SAFRing can get awesome data on the animal such as how far it’s flown.
“The owls will stay at Cedar Lakes for another week or two, and then we will release them into the wild again but still leave out food for them. We usually release them in the early morning, so that they won’t fly too far away and still get the food.”
Details: www.ecosolutions.co.za
