this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2024
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From Owl Rescue Centre

A couple of photos of our 20 000 wildlife rescues that we've done over the last fifteen years. Initially we were just doing it for fun, but looking back now, 20 000 is a big number and one we're pretty proud of. We can't tell you how many thousands of nights we've spent on the road traveling to rescues across the country, never mind the days. Hopefully we have made a positive difference to the conservation status of a few of these guys.

Agreeably, many of them are common species and don't attract the attention of corporates or individuals that would wish to sponsor a wildlife organisation, but we are of the belief that every living creature should be afforded the opportunity to live a full and enjoyable life.

That's something we've had limited success with, attracting sponsors that is, and something we're going to need to mention more often. The last few photos is of us going to potential fundraiser meetings dressed as pirates, air hostesses and rock stars. And that's because we still just do this for fun!

Edit: Just updated all the pics with any info I could find.

It's really amazing so the animals this couple had helped. I've been enjoying their content since I found them. They work very hard, cover a ton of territory, and have a great sense of humor.

They must be at this 24/7, so they must be absolutely ~~living~~ (should have said loving, but they do both appear to be very much alive and well) and dedicated people.

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (3 children)

26 Nov 2021

A rather special rescue this morning. A juvenile Martial Eagle that came down in a storm late yesterday afternoon.

These guys are the largest and most powerful of all our African eagles and it's always a privilege to be able to save one.

We'll take him to our vets for a full medical and hopefully he can go home soon.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Holy shit. That thing is massive. I was literally shocked, scrolling down after admiring that cute little fuzzball owly and suddenly this mountain popped up. I love it

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

It took me by surprise as well. I know there's some bug ones out there, but there are not usually being cradled in photos to get a real sense of scale!

With about 250 types of owls, we have ones from me the Pygmy like in the lead photo you to the Blakiston Fish Owl, that's just shy of the size of this eagle. I've seen it described as fire hydrant sized.

My one regret about this community already being established before I got here is I wish it had been made for all birds of prey. They are all such amazing and diverse animals. I like being able to sneak one in here and there.

Glad you enjoyed the post, this is one of my favorites I've done.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I sometimes debate sharing other photos than the owls, but after seeing this behemoth, I knew that this must be shared!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This whole post is gold, both the owls and non-owls. Those two people do look like they're living the dream, too! I'm reconsidering my life goals right now.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago

They do make it look really fun!

The fundraising is probably the part I would enjoy the least. I think I'd rather be on poo cleanup.

I'm glad you liked all the pictures. That Martial Eagle especially is a heck of a creature I'll have to learn more about.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Jackal pups

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Martial Eagle

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Marsh Owlet?

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)
[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 days ago

Just noticed the sign in the background.

"Get better, or else!" 😧

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 days ago

Possibly Marsh Owls?

Only reference was a paywalled article in what I'm assuming is Afrikaans... But these seem to be before pictures:

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 days ago
[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 days ago
[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

White Faced Scops

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

08 Sep 2022

Earlier today we were out on a rescue in a new water reservoir in Johannesburg. A Barn Owl had managed to get inside, and with them planning to fill it up with water, he needed to be caught and relocated. When we got there the management of WBHO, who have just built the reservoir, took us a bet that we wouldn't catch him. We even shook on it.

Well in their defense, they probably don't or didn't know that we take our wildlife rescuing efforts pretty serious and that we've never left an owl behind.

This case was no different and now WBHO needs to honour that bet they took and lost. It was one of those open type wagers and we never discussed what the prize would be... We're hoping that they'll think outside the box and make it something special.

If anyone here works for WBHO please let the folks in the corner offices know what they need to do!

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago
[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)
[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)
[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Easy with the tongue, Kaa!

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago (2 children)

They are all so precious 🥺

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Ferreal, the top pic is one adorable li'l squib! 😱😭😍

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

They are! 🥰

And from the username, it sounds like you are a serious animal lover yourself. 🦈

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

so they must be absolutely living and dedicated people.

I'm sorry, what? 😶

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Was something I said non-factual??? 😅

It has been adjusted!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

No, not at all 😅 I was joking about the "they must be living people" part. As in, they don't seem like the undead. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm glad someone is proofreading me 😁

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

29nSep 2020

You know the toughest part of this job is not the relentlessly long hours or the thousands of kilometers travelled every month rescuing wildlife. Or even those dodgy petrol garage pies that we embarrassingly eat too many of.

The hardest part is asking for donations to carry on doing the above. Our rescues have more than doubled this year compared to all previous years and our funding has halved in that same time.

Thought we might add that donations we receive are 100% used for rescue costs, fuel, meds, animal food, vehicle repairs and other costs directly linked

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm too old and/or American to know who he is, but now you've had me sitting here for over 5 minutes looking back and forth at pictures to see if I could rule it out, but there are enough similarities that you could make me believe it is. 😵‍💫

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I just scrolled through your post and comment history - you spend a lot of time on here. I mean damn, you might be responsible for most of the content on superbowl.

In any case, the woman shown in your pictures is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen and apparently she also rescues owls and works with animals. She's amazing. Tell her that for me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I do a lot of the posting, but you guys share your comments, and that's just as important. I just like to read and research and teach.

Danelle does seem to have been quite a catch! Her and Brendan know to have quite a magical life. I think they may even live in a treehouse, judging from one clip I found. Here she is talking a little and releasing an Eagle Owl.

I'm glad you are enjoying all the "exotic wildlife" here. If I were Brendan, I'd definitely be sending her to do the press and soliciting the donations... She makes a great face for the organization! Then again, all rehabbers and vets are beautiful to me! 🥰

Here's a little blurb from their site about them:

Realising that there was a rapid decline in owl numbers and that owls had become one of the most common wildlife casualties brought into veterinary practices, Brendan Murray and his wife, Danelle, decided fifteen years ago, to focus all their efforts on conserving them. The organisation they founded, Owl Rescue Centre, is based at Hartbeesp0ort in the North West Province, and now takes in approximately two- thousand owls every year through their rescue efforts. The owls are rehabilitated and when they can survive on their own in the wild, are released in the sanctuary- a farm which is located within a 12,000-hectare conservancy.

Owl Rescue Centre is a registered Non-profit company and permitted rehabilitation facility concerned with the well-being of all owl species and wildlife in Southern Africa.

Owl Rescue Centre is dedicated to protect owls, rescue owls that are in danger and rehabilitate and care for owls that have been injured, are sick, poisoned or orphaned and then release them back into their natural environment using specifically researched release methods. We are also involved in several conservation projects to decrease the high mortality rate of owl species.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Just how many owls are there? :O

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

The only correct answer is: not enough!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

🎵One of these things is not like the others 🎶 🤷🏼‍♂️

edit: my bad, that's a printed "tattoo" arm wrap, and so it's likely the same guy in pics above, sorry. More coffee for me! 🤣