A young Black Sparrowhawk was found grounded about 25 metres below its nest, so the community rallied to get it back to the safety of its nest.
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 August 2022) – Shawn Hefer from the Reptile and Wildlife Rescue Foundation (RAWR) shared the incredible story of how the Brakpan community rallied to get a fallen Black Sparrowhawk chick back into its nest located 25 metres up a tall tree.
The bird was spotted at the base of the tree at the State Mine’s Country Club in Brakpan by a group of concerned golfers. They alerted the manager of the country club, and before long, all the wildlife rescue organisations were called.
The RAWR – Reptile And Wildlife Rescue Foundation received the call, along with the Brakpan SPCA. The SPCA were able to get to the country club to assess the situation and consulted with Raptor Specialists, Pieter Saunders and Natasja Saunders of RAWR. Brakpan SPCA Inspector, Mariska Payne Venter and the Brakpan SPCA manager Tamaryn Ann Lombard arrived and found that the nest was far too high for any rudimentary intervention.
Natasja Saunders was able to advise them that the bird was in its “brancher” phase, meaning it was old enough to move along the branches near the nest but not yet a fledgling learning to fly. The best course of action would be to place it back into the nest to await a few more weeks before flying lessons would start.
Thankfully the bird was healthy and uninjured, so the nest would be the best option. The question was, how to get the bird back there?
SPCA manager Tamaryn called local Freedom Front Plus councillor Riaan Van Zyl and asked if he would be able to assist in getting the local fire department to assist in the rescue efforts.
“In spectacular fashion, Riaan managed to pull a magical rabbit from a hat, and with the help of our grand City of Ekurhuleni we were soon joined by a couple of Firefighters and a firetruck. We realized that this firetruck, (as magnificent as it was), was not going to reach high enough, and arrangements were made for another truck, with a far higher reach to come and assist.
Once the monstrous firetruck fitted with a large metal rescue basket, arrived the rescue team had to wait just a little longer, as they required a specially trained operator to steer the rescue vessel. Once Netshidzati (Netshi) Phuluso arrived, we were set to go, and boy oh boy did Netshi play a crucial role enabling us reunite the little hawk with its family! Once fitted with the required safety gear, Tamaryn and Shawn joined Netshi in the basket, and the rescue neared its final stage.”
The bird was placed back into the nest alongside its siblings.
“Careful navigation, constant communication, planning and rerouting was required, as this was by no means whatsoever an easy task. Netshi got us as close to the nest as possible, without risking frightening the other occupants of the nest, and the exhausted juvenile Sparrowhawk was safely placed back into the nest, with huge sighs of relief and jubilation!”
All the parties involved came together to save this young bird. Everyone went above and beyond, making sure the little bird gets to the point where it can learn to fly. The Brakpan community are overjoyed by the efforts taken to rescue the bird.
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