An educational owl ringing and release event at Crawford Preparatory Sandton on May 4 gave learners a front-row seat to wildlife conservation in action.

The initiative, led by Owlproject.org, showcased the journey of two rescued owls and highlighted the importance of protecting these often misunderstood birds.

Project coordinator Itumeleng Maroga said that the owls were rescued from a home in Cosmo City, Extension 10, when they were just a week old.

Read more: Owl ringing takes place in Benmore

“The resident was not harming them, but didn’t have the space to keep them. In situations like that, we step in,” she said.

Maroga noted that the organisation typically installs owl boxes to allow birds to remain safely in their original environment. However, when that isn’t possible, the owls are relocated and placed into a temporary release programme.

The Sandton school now serves as a transitional home for the birds.

“They will stay here for about 21 days to adjust before being released. This process helps improve their chances of survival in the wild,” she explained.

Beyond rehabilitation, the event also focused on education.

Also read: Rescued barn owls ringed for conservation

“Our goal is to expose children to wildlife and teach them why species like owls matter,” Maroga said.

The hands-on experience sparked curiosity among learners, turning a simple school day into a meaningful lesson on conservation and environmental responsibility.

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