Time to give a hoot about owls
Owlproject.org promotes an age old form of pest control.
“No one likes rats, well except owls who love to eat them.”
These are the words of Delina Chipape, project coordinator for Owlproject.org.
The NPO recently visited the Germiston SPCA, as part of an ongoing project, to hang an owl box on the premises – in hopes of attracting an owl to help with the SPCA’s rat problem.
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“The aim of the project is to attract owls to urban areas where rodents are a problem,” explained Delina.
“We have visited several other SPCAs as well.
“Rat poisons and other methods of pest control all come with harmful side effects to the environment, other animals and sometimes even humans but an owl is natural.”
The box was hung by Shakes Mbongeni from EcoSolutions which assists Owlproject.org in their efforts by sponsoring the owl boxes.
The company manufactures two different types of boxes each to imitate the natural environment of the owls, namely the barn owl and spotted eagle owl.
“Owls have since been sighted in the area so now we just have to wait and see if the owls will be attracted to the box,” explained Delina.
Ward 36 councillor Wendy Morgan is excited by this project and it’s potential.
“There are numerous areas where rats and mice are a problem and this is a much better method of pest control,” Wendy said.
Delina, who studied nature conservation before joining the organisation, visited the GCN after the owl box was hung at the SPCA to tell us a little more about the Owlproject.org and what they do.
“The aim of Owlproject.org is to create owl-friendly children and communities within an owl-friendly environment,” said Delina.
She further explained that though owls do eat other things a large part of their diets is made up of rodents.
“In many areas we have rodent problems because of rubbish and such.
“However, community members do not want owls in the area because of the stigma surrounding them.
“We want to dispel the myths and urban legends that surround owls so that communities will welcome these amazing birds into their towns, informal settlements and suburbs.
“We do this by visiting communities and giving presentations on owls and their role in our ecosystem.”
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Owlproject.org also assists in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of owls.
“We work closely with wildlife vets to ensure the best care and treatment for the owls,” said Delina.
Residents, local companies and schools are encouraged to let Delina know if owls are sighted in their areas so that owl boxes can be installed, to encourage the owls to stay.
For more information on Owlproject.org send an email to info@owlproject.org or delina@owlproject.org or call Delina on 076 360 9072 or 011 791 7326
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