Rescued barn owls ringed for conservation
Newly ringed barn owls rescued in Daveyton are now part of a vital conservation project.
Two barn owls rescued by the Benoni SPCA in Daveyton took their next step toward life in the wild by becoming part of a crucial scientific monitoring programme.
The owls were collected by Valentino Crowder on behalf of Owlproject.org and transported to Woodlands Office Park on July 23, where they were ringed by a certified bird ringer, Arjen Van Zwieten from South African Bird Ringing Unit (SAFRING).
The ringing was conducted under a permit issued by SAFRING in collaboration with EcoSolutions and Owlproject.org as part of their ongoing urban owl monitoring initiative in Gauteng.
According to Owlproject.org coordinator Itumeleng Maroga, the process of bird ringing involves fitting a uniquely numbered metal ring around the owl’s leg.
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@caxtonjoburgnorth Two barn owls rescued by the Benoni SPCA were successfully ringed at Woodlands Office Park by the South African Bird Ringing Unit in collaboration with EcoSolutions and OwlProject.org on July 23, as part of the vital conservation project, and they will be kept at Woodlands for 21 days until they are released. #SPCA #Owlproject.org ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
“This harmless and quick procedure allows conservationists to track survival rates, dispersal patterns, and breeding success of individual owls across their lifespans.”
The two-month-old owls were carefully weighed, measured, and recorded before being returned to their holding enclosure at Woodlands.
Moroga said the ringing plays a vital role in understanding owl behaviour and survival in rapidly developing urban landscapes.
“These owls are not just rescues, they’re ambassadors for urban wildlife. Each ring has a unique number that can be reported if the owl is sighted, recaptured, or found. This information is recorded in a central database, allowing us to track the movements, lifespan, and health of individual owls over time.”
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The owls will remain at Woodlands Office Park for 21 21-day acclimatisation period before being released into a suitable environment.
“This holding period ensures the birds are healthy, well-fed, and ready for reintroduction to the wild with appropriate roosting and hunting opportunities.”
“We also engage with communities to ensure poison-free zones, and we monitor owl boxes to track fledgling success.”
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