Every rescue highlights the importance of community awareness in protecting wildlife.

An owlet in urgent need of specialised care was collected earlier this week after being found in Kokstad, following a rescue operation coordinated by the African Raptor Centre and Raptor Rescue.

Dr Jacqui Gray, a vulture specialist from the African Raptor Centre and Raptor Rescue, together with Leticia Cox of LensTraveller, travelled from Camperdown to Kokstad to retrieve the young bird and ensure it was transferred to a registered rehabilitation facility.

The women’s journey proved challenging, with heavy rain, a five-vehicle pile-up and a tyre blowout along the route.

“Rescue trips always seem to cost more and take longer than planned,” said Gray.

The owlet had fallen from its nest, and the priority was to ensure the bird was placed on the correct diet and received appropriate care as quickly as possible.

“Owlets have specific nutritional requirements and need specialised rehabilitation. Owls like all birds of prey and indigenous wildlife are specially protected b

y law and cannot be kept as pets,” said Gray.

She thanked those who assisted during the operation, noting that public awareness and swift reporting remain critical in wildlife rescue situations.

“Members of the public are urged to keep an eye out for chicks or injured owls or birds of prey.”

The African Raptor Centre, based at Tala Collection Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, cares for more than 100 non-releasable birds of prey across over 35 species.

If you find a raptor which needs help or would like to donate towards the cost of this trip, contact the Raptor Rescue Hotline on 082 3590900 or the African Raptor Centre on 071 6725953.

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