Local News

IN PICS: Rescue owls’ wings clipped after fire cuts part of sanctuary

A fire that ripped through a well-known Hartbeespoort owl sanctuary has caused damage to the tune of at least R300 000.

Owl Rescue Centre co-founder and communications manager Danelle Murray said 12 owl enclosures were destroyed in the blaze.

12 enclosures were gutted in the fire. Photo: Supplied

Fortunately, they were pre-release enclosures, where owls that have already completed rehabilitation are preparing for their final release into the wild.

Advertisement

Murray was about 400km away transporting a young baboon to a private sanctuary in Tzaneen when the fire broke out.

The owls affected were able to fly away when staff opened the enclosures.

ALSO READ: SPCA slams ‘laughing’ farm owner after captive-bred lions burn in Free State

Advertisement

The fire started on the farm next to the sanctuary, jumped fire breaks and ripped through part of the Owl Rescue Centre.

AfriForum reacted quickly and helped put out the fire.

Photo: Supplied

“If it wasn’t for them, the damage would have been extensive, and would have moved to the other part of the property with patients still recovering and being closely monitored. We are fortunate that there was no damage on that side.”

Advertisement

A number of rescued owls live and breed at the sanctuary, and are support-fed while they adjust to living in the wild permanently.

The enclosures that were destroyed are large aviaries built over treetops, Murray explained.

Photo: Supplied
Each enclosure costs at least R20 000. Photo: Supplied

She said these enclosures are created to prepare owls for reintroduction into the wild by getting them used to the elements and the area where they will live.

Advertisement

So far, no dead or injured owls have been found, with Murray and the team placing water in the burned area.

She said some barn owls even returned to the area where their enclosure used to stand.

Photo: Supplied

Each enclosure costs about R20 000 to build.

Advertisement

In addition to these enclosures burning down, the Owl Rescue Centre’s water taps and electrical cabling was also burned and a JoJo tank was damaged.

How to help

If you would like to assist in rebuilding the Owl Rescue Centre, be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook page for their volunteer day on 25 September.

You can also donate using the following details:

Owl Rescue Centre NPC

Nedbank Current Account 103 0819580

Branch Code 198 765

Reference: Fire Fund

Or: PayPal.me/OwlRescueCentreNPC

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.

Published by
By Nica Richards
Read more on these topics: environmentFire