When two boys saw an injured barn owl they realised they could not just leave it. Thanks to their quick thinking, Timmy the owl not only lived another day but also received the care he needed.
On the morning of June 21, Tinashe Moyo, a matric learner at SG Mafaese Secondary School in Kagiso arrived at school at around 6.30am, as he always does. Instead of sitting in an empty classroom he decided to take a walk around school.
“I came across the owl near the corridor heading up the stairs. I followed it to see where it was going but it was just hopping from one stair to another, and it was obvious that it could not fly,” Tinashe said.
He realised that he had to help the owl and explained that in some cultures it is regarded as a bad omen if one sees an owl, so he was afraid that someone would stone or kick it. He called his friend Tarifani Singo to help him catch the owl.
The two boys then used two boxes and pushed them together to capture the owl without injuring it. On Google they found the Owl Rescue Centre in Hartbeespoort and contacted them. They sent out a call to their network of experienced rescuers, and Georgina Lackinger, environmental outreach coordinator for Wildlife Rescue South Africa responded.
Georgina knew about the superstition associated with owls; that coupled with the fact that the owl was already injured, Georgina raced to the school expecting the worst. Instead she found the owl safe and secure in a cardboard box.
Tinashe said he hadn’t even thought of naming the owl yet when one of their teachers suggested calling him Timmy.
Timmy was taken to the vet for treatment, and X-rays showed no broken bones, but there could have been some tissue damage. Timmy is now recovering at the Owl Rescue Centre.
Tinashe said environmental issues were important to him and he encouraged others not to be scared of what they hear but to rather conserve nature.
“The environment is something we all live in and enjoy living in – but only if it is taken care of and is clean,” he said.
Tarifani said he used to be superstitious as well, but saving Timmy changed his mind. He now knows every animal deserves life and he wants to create awareness about all animals.
