RESIDENTS of Waterfall, Crestholme, and surrounding areas have been urged to keep a watchful eye out for an injured Spotted Eagle owl with a pronounced limp.

Dr Jacqui Gray, the project co-ordinator at the Tala Private Game Reserve, said the bird has been seen around the Link Road area over the past couple of weeks.

“The owl is still able to fly, but the leg injury is severe enough to prevent it from hunting effectively. Without intervention, the bird is likely to become progressively weaker and ultimately starve to death.

“The longer the owl goes without treatment, the poorer its chances of survival become,” said Ben Hoffman from Raptor Rescue. “We’re appealing to the community to be our eyes and ears.”

Hoffman said owl populations, particularly in urban areas, are crashing.

“Starvation is only one of the dangers facing this injured owl. As it becomes weaker, it is at greater risk of being hit by a car while scavenging for roadkill, suffering secondary poisoning after feeding on rodents that have consumed poison, or falling victim to the illegal wildlife trade for use in traditional or belief-based practices.

“If you spot the owl, please do not attempt to catch it yourself. Instead, note its exact location and contact the Raptor Rescue team immediately. Experienced, fully permitted rescuers are on standby and equipped to safely capture and transport the bird for veterinary assessment and rehabilitation,” said Hoffman.

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Raptor Rescue, Hoffman added, is part of the African Raptor Centre, and is a fully permitted, NSPCA-accredited facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation of birds of prey throughout KZN.

“Every rescued raptor receives specialised care with the ultimate goal of returning it to the wild whenever possible.

“The Centre also reminds the public that all owls and birds of prey are specially protected by law. It is illegal to capture, keep, injure or kill any raptor without the necessary permits.

“To learn more about the fascinating owls that share our suburbs, the public is invited to attend After Dark, the African Raptor Centre’s family-friendly Owl Awareness event on Saturday, 25 July, from 16:00 to 20:00 at Cumec Park, 53 Link Road, Waterfall. Meet the Centre’s owl ambassadors, discover the threats facing urban owls and learn how to ensure that these remarkable birds continue to thrive alongside us.

“If you see the injured owl, contact the Raptor Rescue Hotline on 082 359 0900 or the African Raptor Centre on 071 672 5953 immediately. A single phone call could save its life,” said Hoffman.

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