A young marsh owl is on the road to recovery after a coordinated rescue involving a vigilant holidaymaker, the NSPCA, the Nigel SPCA and a specialist wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Image of marsh owl used for illustrative purposes/Danelle Murray/Wikimedia Commons
A young marsh owl is receiving specialist care after it was rescued from the side of the road near the Vaal Dam following a coordinated effort between members of the public and animal welfare organisations.
According to Good Things Guy, the injured bird was spotted on Friday afternoon by Kaden Carey while he was enjoying a weekend away with his family. Concerned for the owl’s welfare, Carey contacted the NSPCA, whose liaison officer reached out to the Nigel SPCA for assistance.
Nigel SPCA Vice Chair Angela Morris and her daughter, Robyn, immediately set off to collect the bird, arriving at around 8 pm. They safely secured the frightened young owl before transporting it back to Nigel, arriving home later that evening.
The following morning, Morris took the owl to Friends of Free Wildlife in Kyalami, where specialists examined the bird and confirmed it had sustained a fractured wing. It is now receiving expert veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.
The rescue is a reminder of the impact swift action and collaboration can have when wildlife is found in distress.
In a social media post, the Nigel SPCA thanked everyone involved in the rescue.
“We are incredibly grateful that we could play a small part in giving this magnificent bird a second chance. Moments like these remind us that animal welfare is built on compassion, teamwork, and people who are willing to go the extra mile, no matter the hour.”
The organisation also thanked the team at Friends of Free Wildlife for providing ongoing care and rehabilitation for the bird, expressing hope that the marsh owl will make a full recovery and eventually be released back into the wild.
