Injured Barn Owl Gets Help Thanks to Alfred and Uber Driver

Photo Credit: South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

An injured Barn Owl has been saved thanks to Alfred’s quick actions, a wildlife rescue team, and an Uber driver who said ‘hop in!’

South Africa (29 June 2026) – Alfred Motloung found a Barn Owl in his yard on a Saturday evening. He instantly picked up that something was amiss when he noticed the owl couldn’t fly or take off. Instead of looking the other way, Mr Motloung stepped in.

“The owl was unable to fly and, for a while, her fate rested entirely in Alfred’s hands. Thankfully, those hands were kind and gentle..”

Alfred carefully picked her up, found a suitable box to keep her safe and started searching online for someone who could help. That search led him to the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. He gave them a call, and a rescue plan was put together almost immediately.

The next step was safely transporting the owl in the dead of night. That’s where a kind Uber driver named Tshepo stepped in. Within 40 minutes of Alfred’s first phone call, the small patient had been collected and was on the way to wildlife rehabilitator, Lauren Macleod, where she would receive first-aid care.

Along the way, Alfred sent one final message to the rescue team.

“The bird is on its way. My daughter asks that you take care of it.”

In sharing the story, the rescue and rehabilitation centre praised Alfred for his compassion in ensuring the owl would be well looked after.

“Sir…with absolute pleasure. Because of your compassion, the Barn owl received topnotch care for the evening, had warmth and all the essentials, and by 8AM, she was with the exceptional team at Park Veterinary Hospital receiving the help she desperately needed.”

The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre says rescues like this are becoming increasingly dependent on something many people wouldn’t even think about. Uber…

When injured wildlife is found after hours, there isn’t always a volunteer nearby and the organisation’s small team can’t be everywhere at once. An Uber can often reach the location within minutes, helping get an animal into professional care much faster than would otherwise be possible.

It’s why the organisation has an emergency Uber fund dedicated to paying for these urgent trips. Unfortunately, that fund is now running low.

Anyone who would like to help can contribute towards the emergency transport fund, helping ensure injured wildlife can continue getting to safety when every minute matters. Find out how by clicking here