Roodepoort’s beloved Spotted Eagle Owl diagnosed with deadly Trich parasite

The community’s beloved Spotted Eagle Owl, Pappa, has sadly been diagnosed with the Trichomonas gallinae parasite, the deadly disease wiping out raptors countrywide, reports Roodepoort Northsider.

It is believed that Pappa contracted Trich (as it’s known in short) from a dove he hunted recently. Trich manifests itself and develops inside a seed, which is naturally common feed for pigeons and doves around the world.

ALSO READ: Raptors across Joburg are dying – here’s how you can help

Trich manifests inside wet or damp seeds, which are common during the summer as it is the rainy season. The heat that comes with the summer months helps incubate the parasite inside the seed, which is eventually eaten by a dove, pigeo,n or another bird, which means that the bird becomes a new carrier of the Trich infection.

Once the bird is infected with the parasite, the disease spreads extremely easily. Pappa’s infection is the perfect example thereof, as according to the Owl Rescue Centre’s Danelle Murray, doves and pigeons are favourites on the Spotted Eagle Owl’s diet.

“A Spotted Eagle Owl’s diet in Johannesburg is primarily made up of pigeons and doves,” she said.

Allan Eccles, owner of Falcon Africa Safaris and resident in the complex that Pappa calls home, confirmed on March 18 that Pappa had been infected with the disease after tons of worrying on their part. While Trich is always a cause for concern, Allan remains positive about Pappa’s condition.

“He is being treated at the Bryanston Avian, Exotic, and Small Animal Clinic, and so far he is doing well,” a post on Allan’s Facebook page read.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.