Soweto learners challenge owl myths through hands-on conservation programme

Young conservation enthusiasts from Totomeng and Meadowlands primary schools in Soweto traded textbooks for talons and feathers when they took park in a live barn owl ringing and release ceremony at Woodlands Office Park in Sandton.

Hosted by Owlproject.org, the event formed part of the organisations Owl Conservation Club programme, which teaches learners about biodiversity, owl conservation, and environmental responsibility through practical experiences. Learners from both schools experienced owl ringing up-close for the first time, as three barn owls, aged three weeks rescued from a residential property in Cosmo City Ext 10, were ringed. The owls will be kept at Woodlands Office Park for 21 days before being released back into the wild.

Read more: Soweto learners get hands-on owl conservation experience in Sandton

Project co-ordinator at Owlproject.org Itumeleng Maroga said the aim of the event was to give learners practical exposure to the conservation lessons they have been learning in the classroom. “We brought along our Owl Conservation Club kids from Soweto. The whole aim of bringing them here is to give them a whole experience of what we’ve been learning in our conservation club. We really appreciate that they get to experience everything that we have been learning in class and get to see it.”

Maroga said the programme not only introduced learners to owl conservation practices, such as ringing and rehabilitation, but helped dispel myths and fears often associated with owls in many communities. “We would like to express special thanks to Growth Point for welcoming our learners and providing them with lunch. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible. This is the first Owl Conservation Club founded by Owlproject.org and through sponsorship, we would like to reach out to other schools to partake in the club and witness owl releases.”

Tshireletso Mubo, a Grade 4 learner from Totomeng Primary School, said she joined the club because she wanted to learn about owls. “I joined Owl Conservation Club because I wanted to learn about owls, how do they live and more things that I do not know about them. Today I learned that owls have asymmetrical ears, are silent flyers, and they can see very lightly at night, and see everything, down and up.”

Also read: Sandton learners experience owl ringing and release up close

Another learner, Bontle Rasebotse from Meadowlands Primary School, said the club inspired her to challenge negative perceptions about owls. “I joined Owl Conservation Club because they told us interesting facts about owls. I wanted to fight against people who say bad things about owls. Today I learned that owls are silent flyers and have claws to help them hunt.”

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