Owls and superstitions, especially in black communities, go hand-in-hand. But, when your neighbours call you a witch because a parliament of owls has set up nest in your unfinished roof trusses, the only thing you can do is call Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw) to help you with your problem.
Cora Bailey from Claw said she received just such a call from a family in Braamfischerville. “They said they are extending their home into a double storey, but the building is not yet complete. The open rafters provide the perfect nesting space for owls, which catch and eat the rats in the area. The surrounding areas are infested with rats that carry diseases, destroy documents such as birth certificates and IDs, eat groceries and have been known to bite children. In one specific case, the rats feasted on a paraplegic man.”
She went on to say the family fortunately understands the important role owls play in the environment, but unfortunately they were being blamed for witchcraft. “One of the neighbours died, and they were blamed for the death. Their children are not allowed to play with other children in the area, and they’d become desperate to have the owls removed,” she said.
“Owls are nature’s perfect solution for any rodent problem. They are environmentally friendly and perfect killing machines. Communities should be grateful, and owls should be protected with absolute reverence.” She added that although Claw has run educational programmes on the importance of owls, more needed to be done. “We urge people not to kill owls. Residents can call me on 076 850 4466 anytime to have them safely removed.”
Cora said she called Eco Solutions in Randburg, a permitted owl rehabilitation project, for help. They work closely with the Owl Project, who came to remove the chicks. Kefiloe Motaung from the Owl Project said the chicks were taken to a vet for a check-up. “They are almost fledged and will remain at a foster home until they can be released. It is impossible to catch the adults, but we advised the home-owner to cover the open rafters to prevent them from nesting there again,” she said.
Kefiloe added that people can call them as well, on 011 791 7326, should they have an owl problem. “More collaboration between organisations such as Claw and the Owl Project is vital because we need to educate people about things they don’t know.”
Cora said she would prefer it if the adults were not removed. “Litter is a terrible problem in that area, and the residents need something natural to kill rodents. Poison is not a safe option.”
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