Radical Raptors rescued a Spotted Eagle Owl from near-drowning in Knysna and rehabilitated her back to health to be released into the wild.
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape – Radical Raptors came to the rescue of a Spotted Eagle Owl at Thesen Island in Knysna, that was entangled in a fishing line and near-drowning.
Mark Robson, an apprentice falconer at Radical Raptors, took the injured bird home to help it recover and then released it back into the wild when it was ready. Before they released her, she was ringed with her very own code so she will be identifiable in the future.
The Spotted Eagle Owl, which is also known as the African Eagle Owl, are nocturnal but can be active just before sunset. They feed on larger insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles. They can live up to the age of ten if not affected by nest predation from larger carnivores, human persecution, bush fires, vehicle collisions and collisions with barbed-wire fences.
Thankfully, Radical Raptors were able to rescue the owl, giving it a chance at a much longer life. The organisation is a rehabilitation centre for all birds of prey. Their main aim is to rehabilitate and release birds back into the wild but birds that are unfit to be released back into the wild become part of their education and awareness programme.
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