Three rescued spotted eagle-owls ready to be released into the wild

Posted by David Henning on 2 September 2021

Three abandoned spotted eagle-owlets were rescued by the Virginia SPCA in the Free State after children were throwing stones at them, supposedly believing them to be a ‘bad omen’.

They had to be taken by the SPCA, despite their inspectors’ repeated education efforts, teaching the children that the owls present no harm and bring no danger. The owlets were checked for injuries and treated for dehydration.

They were then placed into the expert hands of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary hospital to rehabilitate them for their release back into the wild. Currently, the young owls are thriving and eating on their own.

They have since been named the ‘Three Musketeers’  and are now in a pre-release enclosure, preparing to be released back into the wild.

The three rescued spotted eagle-owls. Picture: Sarah Kempen/ Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.

Owls play a vital role in ecosystems, especially when it comes to rodent control. Unfortunately, their mysterious nature has resulted in these birds being clouded in superstition across different cultures.

Tending to be nocturnal, they are often associated as nefarious creatures, and in Tsonga/Shangaan folktales, for example, they are seen as the purveyors of evil.

One of the rescued Spotted eagle-owl’s. Picture: Thea Smit/ Virginia SPCA

The owls have been fitted with SAFRINGS to monitor their movements and habits, and are currently in a pre-release enclosure before being released into a safe and suitable habitat. The spotted eagle-owl is the most common owl throughout Southern Africa, is nocturnal and feeds occurs in a variety of habitats including alongside people in cities and towns.

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