WATCH: Umgeni Park resident rigs up trap to help entangled birds
The local resident invented the device – a drop cage operated by a remote control after seeing a Hadeda in distress in the area.
AN Umgeni Park resident has come up with a contraption to save birds, and in particular, Hadeda Ibis birds, that are entangled up in discarded fishing lines or in general distress.
Tony Kempson, a retired telecommunications technician, invented the device – a drop cage operated by a remote control after seeing a Hadeda in distress in his area.
The contraption, which is rigged up to a 12-volt battery, is held in place by a paracord rope.
The drop cage is inserted into the ground, usually grass, and Kempson puts out bird food underneath the drop cage in the hopes of luring in distressed birds.
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He has also 3D-printed a housing device for the electronic wiring of the device and then patiently waits within eyeline of the device to trap a bird.
“About a year ago, my neighbours and I spotted a Hadeda in distress in our area. It had a bit of fishing line around its foot, and for us, it was disturbing to see the animal suffering. I came up with a plan to trap the bird, and that’s how the drop cage idea was born. I put out food every day, and it kept coming closer to feed. Once it got used to a pattern, I sprung the trap and caught it successfully.
“I took it to the Rinaldo Road Vet, and sadly, he had to amputate one of its toes. However, that hasn’t impeded it, and within weeks, he was back and able to fly and walk more freely. Designing and putting together the trap took a few days, and I knew it would take a great deal of patience as I sit still a few metres away from the trap and wait for the injured bird to enter. I’ve always dabbled with electronics, and then I came up with a remote control trap linked to a battery which I found worked best,” he said.
So far, Kempson has assisted five Hadeda birds.
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“It has been mainly Hadedas that I’ve helped. What I’ve found is that being a large, probing bird, they often get themselves into trouble. Living along the banks of the uMngeni River and near the beachfront, discarded fishing line poses a massive threat to these types of birds. I’ve trapped and freed a number of birds who’ve sadly been tangled up in the fishing line,” he said.
Kempson also thanked the Durban North Neighbours Facebook page for helping spread the word on his contraption.
“A friend of mine posted on the group, and most of the people who’ve contacted me have seen that post on the group. It’s great to see what a caring community we have,” he said.
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