It has been a busy and emotional week for Parys WADER, with several bird rescues, the loss of an Egyptian goose despite intensive care, and an urgent appeal for donations to repair a damaged aviary.

Following last week’s report of an injured Lesser Flamingo, the team set out to search for the bird. After a five-kilometre hike, they found two dead flamingos. Evidence suggests the birds may have been preyed upon by a water mongoose.

Parys WADER thanked volunteer Christen and SAFRING ringers Shonie and Kobie, who travelled from Vanderbijlpark to assist with the search.

The organisation also admitted two Spotted Eagle-Owls – a young chick and an older adult. According to Parys WADER’s Marisa Louw, both owls are doing well, with the younger bird growing rapidly and gaining weight.

The older owl was picked up on the road by a traveller and examined by Dr Brigitta Wessels, veterinarian at Parys Dierehospitaal. He has vision problems and no tail feathers, and is not eating as well as we hoped. Louw reported.

Aviary repairs urgently needed

The three Barn Owls in Parys WADER’s care were moved to the large enclosure after a volunteer helped repair the aviary.

However, strong winds tore the shade netting, leaving the enclosure in need of more permanent repairs.

“We are appealing for donations of wooden poles so that we can properly repair the enclosure. It has only been fixed temporarily for now. If we experience hail, the netting will tear again,” Louw said.

Egyptian Goose

The week also brought sadness for the Parys WADER team when a sick Egyptian Goose gosling had to be humanely euthanised last week, despite two weeks of intensive care.

Bird admissions increase by more than 70%

Parys WADER currently has 15 patients in its care. Since the beginning of the year, the organisation has admitted 57 patients representing 28 species, compared with the 32 patients admitted during the same period last year.

This represents more than 70% increase in admissions for the January-to-October period.

How to support Parys WADER

Wildlife rehabilitation accounts for approximately 25% of Parys WADER’s activities. The organisation focusses on promoting a healthy bird population in the local wetland complex through community education. They also operate s a 24-hour wildlife emergency hotline in the Fezile Dabi District.

Community members who would like to support Parys WADER can contribute using the following banking details:

Account name: Parys WADER
Bank: Capitec Business
Account number: 1054348650

For more information about the organisation and its work, visit wader.parys.co.za.