The Owl Orphanage Closes Doors After Eight Years of Saving SA's Wildlife

Photo Credit: The Owl Orphanage, Velddrif

After eight years of rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife, The Owl Orphanage has announced its closure. Its legacy lives on through one final act of kindness.

Western Cape, South Africa (13 July 2026) – The Owl Orphanage in Velddrif has sadly announced it’s closure after eight years of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing birds of prey, Blue Cranes and countless other wild animals. It is, undeniably, a great loss to wildlife conservation in the Western Cape.

“We have been struggling for a long time financially, with the hope that things will improve. Unfortunately every month became more stressful.” shared owner Jacques Nel.

Centres like The Owl Orphanage rely on public donations to stay afloat, but with South Africans under growing financial strain themselves, that support has become increasingly difficult to find. Not because people care less, but because there’s simply less to give. It’s a pattern playing out across the non-profit sector, often called donor fatigue, and The Owl Orphanage is unfortunately the latest casualty of it.

Over its eight years, the centre became a lifeline for injured, poisoned and orphaned birds of prey and Blue Cranes across the West Coast, Swartland and Cape Metropole. Its work grew to cover many kinds of indigenous wildlife along the way.

Photo Credit: The Owl Orphanage, Velddrif

“I thank each and everyone who had my back and supported us through the years, saving many many lives. You will forever stay my heroes.” shared Jacques.

The mark Jacques and his team leaves in the world of wildlife rehabilitation is undeniable, made evident by the many fellow rescuers and rehabilitators who have shared their sadness in the news of the NPO’s closure.

The Owl Rescue Centre thanked them for helping care for ‘hundreds of our patients in the Western Cape.’ Wildlife Rescue Johannesburg called the news devastating. Raptor Rescue Plett thanked them for ‘every bird you’ve rescued, rehabilitated, and fought so hard to save over the years,’ and noted how generous they’d always been with advice and support for fellow rehabbers. The African Raptor Centre echoed how tough things have gotten for rescue centres nationwide.

Currently, there are still birds in Jacques’ care – he’s made it clear he’ll see every one of them through until they’re ready to go back into the wild.

Even while closing up, the centre is looking forward in making a positive difference. Its equipment and supplies, which includes medical gear that’s badly needed elsewhere, will be donated to the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Springs, so the work can carry on there.

Helpers are needed. The team is looking for anyone who can help transport the donated equipment, supplies and frozen food from Velddrif to Springs. Even if everything can’t be moved in one trip, any assistance would make a meaningful difference.

After eight years of putting wildlife first, The Owl Orphanage’s last act is helping another rescue centre keep going. If you can help with transport, or want to support the birds still in care during these final weeks, now’s the time. It is perhaps the final chance to honour what this centre gave to South Africa’s wildlife.

Find contact details here.