Kind north mine worker buries flight pigeon

A small act of kindness by a man from Pretoria North has touched the hearts of pigeon owners across the capital after giving a dead racing bird a “decent send-off”.

Kgopo Jerry Shogole found a dead racing pigeon on Tuesday, near his workplace at a mine near Brits.

Shogole said he knew the pigeon was a racing bird, after seeing a ring used to identify the pigeons on its leg.

“I owned pigeons when I was younger,” Shogole told Rekord on Wednesday.

He remains a big fan of racing pigeons and said he felt great sorrow for the little “hard worker”.

Shogole made contact with the Pretoria Racing Pigeon Federation, providing the bird’s identity code on its tag.

“I will not forget it anytime soon: PWFD 0101,” said Shogole.

A member of the federation, Richard Welsford said he was amazed at Shogole’s kind gesture to try and get hold of the bird’s owner.

“It is not often that someone cares so much for a pigeon. It’s really heart-warming.”

Jerry said after notifying the federation, he decided to give the bird a proper burial.

“It did not feel right to just throw the pigeon away or leave it there,” he said.

“I thought because it’s Freedom Day, I want to honour this pigeon – let its soul fly free.”

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The Pretoria Racing Pigeon Federation members were so touched by Shogole’s deed that they have decided to hold a fundraiser to give him a gift as a token of appreciation.

Watch:

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