PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Thanks to the efforts of a Plettenberg Bay-based bird of prey rehabilitation centre, several of these majestic birds are now flying free once more.
Since December last year the team at Raptor Rescue, the centre on the outskirts of town, have had their hands full with "patients" being admitted.
The latest was a forest buzzard that suffered mild concussion and a small abrasion on its foot after being struck by a car on the Rheenendal road outside Knysna. After a few weeks at the rehabilitation centre the bird was released last Thursday, in the same area it had been found.
On 17 January another bird of prey was released, this time a spotted eagle owl. The owl, which was released at the Plettenberg Bay Golf course in Piesang Valley, spent about a month at Raptor Rescue after suffering an injured wing.
It was injured when it was struck by a car on Airport Road. The team hoped that the female owl would find a suitable nesting site on the golf course after the first owl boxes were erected in the area.
Dr Rolf Lamprecht of the Knysna Veterinary Clinic treating a black eagle for bumblefoot.
In December last year a black eagle with a severe case of bumblefoot came into the centre's care. According to the team this is an inflammatory or degenerative condition of the avian foot and can range from a very mild redness or abrasion to chronic, deep-seated abscesses.
The condition looks like calluses that are hard to the touch. It is a progressive disease primarily affecting large species of raptors maintained in captivity, and typically affects both feet.
The team said they were pleased with the bird's progress, but that the disease would require ongoing treatment.
Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay, with the support of BirdLife Plett, opened its doors in September last year after taking over the premises, infrastructure and a number of the resident birds from the previous owners, Radical Raptors.
Their mission is to provide a refuge for sick, injured and orphaned birds of prey; to provide rehabilitation and release these birds wherever possible. "Our aim is also to give the public a window into this important conservation work through our guided tours and flying demonstrations," the Raptor Rescue team said.
Mark Robson of Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay with a forest buzzard that was rescued after being struck by a car.
Funding for the rehabilitation facility is predominantly derived through admission fees to the Raptor Rescue awareness centre, situated at the Heath Complex on the N2 just outside Plett, as well as through sponsorship and donations.
At the awareness centre, the team welcomes visitors to join them for a guided tour and flying demonstration which runs for 45 minutes to an hour.
The tours are hosted by Mark Robson, who gained his experience working with birds of prey while doing his falconry apprenticeship with his brother at Radical Raptors. The centre is now run by Mark and his partner, Laura Fotheringham, a nature and animal enthusiast.
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