Rescued barn owl flies free again
A distressed barn owl, found in Zandspruit, has made a full recovery, and has been returned home after being helped by SPCA, owlproject.org, and Jackal Creek Golf Estate staff.
A barn owl, rescued near the busy Zandspruit taxi rank, has returned safely to the skies thanks to the kindness of a concerned resident and the teamwork of the Randburg SPCA, conservation group owlproject.org, and the Jackal Creek Golf Estate team.
The owl, believed to be a Tyto alba, was found distressed. A member of the public quickly alerted the Randburg SPCA, and the bird was handed over to owlproject.org, a non-profit that focuses on owl rescue, care, and education.
Read more: Barn owl rescued, rehabilitated, and released at Jackal Creek
Alison Hepplestone, from owlproject.org, said the owl was taken to the Bryanston Avian, Exotic, & Small Animal Clinic, where vets gave it a full check-up and confirmed it was healthy. “After a short time under observation, we released it back into its familiar surroundings,” she said.
The release took place at Jackal Creek Golf Estate, not far from where the owl was first rescued. Hepplestone was joined by Shelley Olivier, from Jackal Creek’s environmental team, Bongani Khumalo, from the Randburg SPCA, who had originally collected the owl, and Sara Orchardson, also from owlproject.org.
Also read: MTN protects Barn Owls nesting in cell towers
The group watched in joy as the owl spread its wings and flew high into the trees, settling over the fairways of the estate. “There’s nothing quite like seeing these magnificent birds up close,” said Hepplestone. “It’s bittersweet because you remember the state they were in when rescued, but watching them recover and fly again is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.”
This successful rescue is more than just a happy ending for one owl; it’s a reminder of how much can be achieved when residents, animal organisations, and estates work together to protect wildlife.
Owlproject.org does more than rescue injured owls. In many communities, owls are feared and misunderstood. Through its school outreach programmes, the group is helping young people learn how important owls are, especially in keeping rat populations down.
“One of our main programmes involves dissecting owl pellets with learners,” explained Orchardson. “Pellets are collected from owl boxes managed by EcoSolutions, and the children get to see exactly what the owls have eaten, mostly rats. It’s a hands-on way to teach them that owls are helpful, not harmful.”
Owlproject.org relies on donations to continue this work. To support their efforts in saving owls and educating communities, visit Owlproject.org. Every donation helps make a difference, turning fear into fascination, and helping owls continue to thrive in our cities.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Owl Project ensures community members give a hoot
