Owls to be released into the wild soon
They will be released through The Owl Box Project.
Scottburgh’s Crocworld Conservation Centre, FreeMe Wildlife and The Owl Box Project in the KZN Midlands, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, have united for a conservation collaboration to get a spotted eagle owl, born in captivity, to be released into the wild with a partner.
Crocworld is known for its wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education, and among the centre’s many rescued inhabitants are two spotted eagle owls which cannot be released into the wild.
This however, does not apply to the owls’ two chicks which hatched in November last year and have been reared by their parents, which means there has been no human imprinting, making them eligible for release in the wild.
Ryne Ferguson, Crocworld’s Bird Curator, explained that one of the owlets had already been rehomed in a centre in Johannesburg which is also committed to conservation education, but up until this point, no home had been identified for the second owlet.
“That’s when I reached out to FreeMe Wildlife and The Owl Box Project,” said Ferguson.
“Because there has been no human imprinting, this chick would still know how to survive as an owl in the wild. After working with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the necessary permits are in place, and another spotted eagle owl chick has been found so that the two can be released together.”
“Although the release date is yet to be set, the two will be released through The Owl Box Project.”
The owlet was collected from Crocworld last week, and was already settling down well at FreeMe Wildlife alongside its new partner.
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