The chief animal welfare inspector of the South African Animal Welfare Inspectorate Association (Saawia), Marius van Reeuwyk, urged the community to be aware of young owls and other predator birds falling out of their nests.

This comes after Van Reeuwyk rescued two spotted brown owls in the past few weeks.

A farmer from a farm outside of Evander brought in the first spotted brown owl. He had found the owl and taken it to animal lover and activist, Tanja Ackerman.

Van Reeuwyk and falconer Dr Armand de Clercq advised Ackerman and helped care for the owl. The bird was taken to Birds of Prey in Dullstroom last week.

The second spotted brown owl was found in a barn on a farm between Trichardt and Charl Cilliers. Van Reeuwyk suspected it was injured and took it to the vet for a check-up. He was still at the vet at the time of going to print.

Van Reeuwyk said in another incident, someone found a barn owl and tried to raise and keep it as a pet, but the owl died.

“It is important to follow the correct steps when wildlife is found on your property,” said Van Reeuwyk.

“Keep an eye on the bird or wild animal until someone qualified to work with such an animal arrives and can catch it and take it to safety.”

He reminded the community that it is against the law to keep wildlife as pets without the necessary permits. Saawia is an animal welfare NPO dependent on sponsors and donations to continue its work.

If you find wild animals or birds on your farm or around your house in town, or want to donate to support Saawia’s work, call Van Reeuwyk on 067 858 9719.