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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A family from Little Brak River came to the rescue of a barn owl that was entangled in barbed wire fencing.
Hellen Engelbrecht says her brother, Michael van Schalkwyk, came across the owl yesterday morning, Wednesday 29 June, while he was taking photographs in the area.
She says Michael called her and her mom, Fern van Schalkwyk, and they rushed there with gloves and a box.
“Michael and my mom held the owl securely as I untangled its feathers that were bound around the barbed wire fencing.”
PHOTO GALERY: Owl rescue mission
They called friends from their camera club, Johan van Aarde and Elizabeth Nicholson, who took the owl through to Dr Frans de Graaff in Hartenbos.
“Elizabeth followed up with the vet this morning; they have the owl in a dark warming box to warm it up and bring it out of shock. They say only three in ten survive.”
Hellen says the vet confirmed that the owl is standing up. “They've bandaged its wings. The bones aren't broken. It may have damaged tendons. Now they have to get it to eat. Holding thumbs for this little owl.”
Photos: Hellen Engelbrecht
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