Brave Keagen climbed into the bucket of an excavator, got lowered down to the bottom of a sinkhole and saved four young owls.
Johannesburg, South Africa (07 July 2025) – What began as a routine construction job turned into a full-fledged wildlife rescue mission in Rooipoort, Carltonville, proving once again that everyday heroes walk, and sometimes dig, among us.
The team from Lerula Construction had been called to help fill in a massive sinkhole, which was 60 metres wide and 15 metres deep. When they arrived on site, they spotted something unexpected down in the depths, and far more delicate than crumbling limestone.
Nestled in a hollowed-out pocket near the bottom of the sinkhole was a clutch of four tiny owl chicks, barely hatched and vulnerable. What made matters worse was the presence of opportunistic poachers, attempting to snatch the owlets before they could be saved.
Thankfully, the Lerula team weren’t about to let that happen. They quickly scared off the would-be kidnappers, and then the real challenge began. The chicks needed to be rescued. And fast.
That’s when Keagan, a member of the Lerula crew, stepped up. With a giant excavator on site, an idea was born: lower Keagan down into the sinkhole using the machine’s bucket.
Suspended metres above the ground, Keagan was carefully lowered into the depths, where he gently scooped the vulnerable owlets into the bucket beside him. The cavern was unstable, the task delicate, but within minutes, the team was back on solid ground, four owlets safe and sound.
Keagan and teammate PJ immediately transported the rescued chicks to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, where they were received for specialist care. In the hands of dedicated wildlife vets, the young birds will be nursed back to health, with the hope of returning them to the wild where they belong.
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Because every wild baby deserves a fighting chance, and thanks to the quiet heroes at Johannesburg Wildlife Vet, many get exactly that.
If you would like to get involved, you can find details below or check out the website here.
Johannesburg Wildlife NPC
FNB Cheque account
Account nr: 62658400264
Branch code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
Or via SnapScan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/PXMP5766
Or via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/joburgwildlifevet
Or via PayFast: https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/shop.johannesburgwildlifevet.com
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