Rehabilitated barn owl ringed and released at St John’s Pre-Preparatory
HOUGHTON – Grade 1 learners at St John's Pre-Preparatory School saw a barn owl being ringed before being released following a rehabilitation period.
Grade 1 learners at St John’s Pre-Preparatory saw a barn owl being ringed before it was released after a six-week rehabilitation period.
The owl, which the boys named Fluffy, was found injured in the Houghton area six weeks ago and was transported to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, where it was rehabilitated for three weeks before being cared for in an owl cage at St John’s Pre-Preparatory for three weeks.
During the three-week period at the school, the boys were taught about the importance of owls, threats to their survival and what to do if they see an owl. The boys have also dissected owl pellets regurgitated by the owl.
Coordinator of The Owl Project Delina Chipape gave a brief demonstration of the owl ringing process to the Grade 1s and answered their questions.
Fluffy, whose sex is unknown, was released from the school at night.
Chipape explained that The Owl Project started 20 years ago after two children ingested rat poison in a township. The project’s work began in townships, educating children about the importance of owls. “Owls are the perfect, eco-friendly rodent control method,” explained Chipape. “Our main mission is to create owl-friendly children who go on to become owl-friendly adults living within owl friendly environments.”
The non-profit organisation also works to help injured owls, take them to the Johannesburg Wildlife Vet for care and put the owls through a release programme, which simultaneously educates children in schools.
Headmistress of the Pre-Preparatory School Jane Lane explained that the owl cage, which housed Fluffy over the three-week period at the school, was donated five years ago as a leaver’s gift. Lane said that this is the fifth owl the school has assisted.
The Owl Project is looking for alternative roosting sites for owls. Chipape encourages community members to put up and service owl boxes.
For more information, email Delina Chipape on delina@owlproject.org
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