WATCH: Quick-thinking Mzingazi youngsters save trapped sparrowhawk

Two Mzingazi youngsters help rescue injured black sparrowhawk, which is now in rehab before eventual release.

1 minute ago

Dave Savides 1 minute read

The young bird is alive and well thanks to an excellent support network

Thanks to the sharp eyes and warm hearts of two young Mzingazi residents, a juvenile black sparrowhawk was saved from almost certain starvation death after it had unwittingly impaled itself on a wire fence on Thursday.

Sthembile and Amahle Jali heard the cries of the stricken bird and threw a blanket over it to try to protect it from doing more harm to itself, before making a video and reporting the incident.

Sthembile and Amahle Jali’s concern for nature saved the day

In no time, Arboretum Veterinary Clinic was notified and hastened to the scene.

Volunteer Andre Dicks joined Miriam Otto at the scene and after trying unsuccessfully to detach the bird, which was screeching in pain, they decided to cut the fence and take it to the surgery with pieces of wire still embedded in one wing.

The strands of wire impaled in the wing can clearly be seen

After being anaesthetised, the wire shards were carefully removed, and with X-rays showing no bone damage, the wound was treated and the fledgling was soon enjoying some food.

The young hawk quickly recharged and was taken to the African Raptor Centre, based at Tala Private Game Reserve outside Camperdown for rehabilitation and release once fully healed.