Die Heuwel owl was not shot – says vet
Though initial reports had suggested that the owl was shot, a local veterinarian examined it and proved otherwise.
The owl at the centre of recent community concern in Die Heuwel Proper has died, despite efforts to save it.
Local veterinarian Nolan Landman confirmed that the bird had to be humanely euthanised due to the severity of its injuries.
“Due to the severity of its injuries, the owl could not be rehabilitated, and the decision was made to humanely euthanise the bird,” Landman said.
Initial reports suggested the owl had been shot with a pellet gun, sparking outrage and leading residents to offer a R3 500 reward for information on who shot it. However, Landman’s examination found no traces of lead in the bird’s body. He suspects the owl may have collided with a hard surface rather than being deliberately harmed.
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Landman explained that owls are increasingly seen in suburban areas as they follow mice, which are drawn to roadsides where grain trucks spill maize.
“For mice this means a feast,” he noted, adding that owls can also be spotted on tar roads during winter months as they absorb warmth from the surface.
Residents in Die Heuwel still emphasised that no wildlife crime will be tolerated in the area.
R3 500 reward offered for information on owl killing in Die Heuwel Proper
— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) June 15, 2026
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