Owlproject.org, together with EcoSolutions, gave learners from St Andrew’s School for Girls an educational presentation on barn owls that will be released on school premises to benefit the environment.
Delina Chipape, project coordinator for Owlproject.org. and Owl Ringer from EcoSolutions Hussein Moyo visited St Andrew’s on October 30.
Delina and Hussein gave the girls a demonstration on how a SAFRING is placed on an owl’s leg without it being harmed.
Delina said they have to ring the owls for conservation efforts.
Also read: Getting to understand an Owl
“Each SAFRING has a number on it, and the information will be uploaded to a national database to let us know where each of the owls come from,” said Delina.
She said the owls have been at St Andrew’s for four weeks and learners have fed them daily in a temporary pan where they lived until they will be released.
Delina said the owls will leave the pan and find a roosting site on the school grounds.
Also read: Barn Owl visits Inyoni Creek
“The main aim is to get children involved and to care for nature. We also want to debunk any myths involved with owls.”
She said the environment at St Andrew’s is good for the owls, but the main focus is to control rodent activity at the school.
“It is also to create a poison-free environment,” said Delina.
Senior school life sciences teacher Jessica Braund said the girls were especially excited to come out and meet the owls.
For more information on Owlproject.org or to find out how your school can get involved visit www.owlproject.org or contact 011 791 7326.
