Marlboro Gardens Secondary School turn to owls to tackle Alexandra’s rodent problem
A partnership between Marlboro Gardens Secondary School and the Owlproject.org seeks to change learners' perceptions of owls, while addressing the rodent infestation challenge in Alexandra.
Rats running through streets and into homes have long plagued Alexandra township. Now, Marlboro Gardens Secondary School, in collaboration with nonprofit organisation Owlproject.org, is taking an eco-conscious stand against the rodent issue by enlisting barn owls.
Read more: Rodents pose a health hazard in Alex
Motlatsi Zulu, a teacher at Marlboro Gardens, explained that they had observed the persistent rodent problem in Alexandra and wanted to address it in a more environmentally friendly way. “It is unlike spreading rodent poison everywhere because that hurts more than just the rats,” she noted.
However, nurturing appreciation for owls among learners was not easy, especially given that some come from communities where owls are associated with negative beliefs and superstitions.
Zulu said it was their duty to educate the learners. “We had to deal with all those myths, and after separating reality from myths, most of our learners warmed up to the idea. They were very supportive, and they understood why we are doing what we are doing.”
Through this project, students have learned about the essential role owls play in maintaining ecosystem balance. Zulu hopes that the knowledge learners gain will go beyond the classroom walls, reaching many residents of Alexandra. This is exactly what Grade 9 learner Adivhaho Mokakatleng is striving for. “I tell my friends that it is not about witchcraft, and I explain that the owls are brought to the school to reduce rodents.”
Sara Orchardson of Owlproject.org added that the owls are initially kept in enclosures, where learners help care for them until they are mature enough to live independently. Once ready, they are released into the school and community at large.
“Barn owls will always be where the rodents are, and there will always be rodents in townships, unfortunately,” she said.
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