Even hadedas can find themselves in over their heads, needing a hero…
Gauteng, South Africa (23 July 2026) – Whether you love their dawn chorus or wish they’d actually just hit snooze, this hadeda palaver actually has a happy ending.
Midrand SPCA received an unusual call for help on 16 July after a Hadeda Ibis was spotted hanging helplessly high up in a tree. The bird had become entangled in discarded fishing line, leaving it suspended above the ground with no way to free itself.
Inspectors Jerry Seemise and Richman Sibande – who are both no strangers to making our headlines – rushed to the scene, where they quickly realised this wasn’t going to be a simple rescue.
“Knowing time was of the essence, Inspector Seemise carefully climbed the tree while Inspector Sibande assisted from below. Working patiently and with great care, they cut away the fishing line and safely brought the bird back to the ground, where the remaining line was removed from around its legs.” the SPCA shared.
Before long, their new hadeda friend stretched its wings, let out what we can only assume was a very enthusiastic thank you (haaaaa!) and flew back into the wild.
Behind this happy ending is an important message, too.
“Discarded fishing line may seem harmless, but for wildlife it can become a deadly trap. Please dispose of it responsibly—one small action can save a life.” shared the SPCA.
Disposing of fishing line responsibly is one small action that can make a life-saving difference.
A huge shout-out goes to Inspectors Jerry Seemise and Richman Sibande for living by the belief that every creature matters…even the really loud ones. We’re glad this hadada lived to squawk another day!
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