Owl Encounters - Skova Biodiversity

04/05/2026

Some of the Barn Owls received from Kruger National Park have now been separated from their surrogate parents and placed in their own aviary. There are still younger owlets with the surrogates. This is a joint project with DBOP (Dullstroom Bird of Prey).

03/05/2026

The Centre was asked to do an educational encounter with 3 owls for the children at the NG Kerk Familiefees on Saturday, 2 May. We invited 3 special children to come on stage and stroke the owls. In the photo and video is Anlea Haasbroek. Thank you to the NG Kerk Hazyview, Ulani Cilliers and Corne Swart

03/04/2026

Thank you to Hermien Bekker for dropping off used 60/60 paper bags at the Centre. This is the second time she has brought these bags. Hermien collects these from her friends. Hermien your support of the Centre is appreciated. Photo: Njabulo (Centre staff member)

29/03/2026

Edmund Thorne (Protection & Anti-Poaching Consulting Services) donated and delivered wooden poles to the Centre. These poles will be used to provide a wooden barrier around the bottom section of our newly built aviaries. Thank you to Edmund for his generous donation. Photo: Edmund Thorne and Goodwill (Owl Encounters staff member)

22/03/2026

A parlement of 8 Barn Owlets was brought to the Center yesterday. Edmund Thorne (Protection & Anti-Poaching Consulting Services) rescued the owlets on Friday. The owlets were found in the Kruger National Park where some refurbishment was taking place. Kruger contacted Dullstroom Bird of Prey (DBOP) about the owls. As our Centre is located close to the Kruger, DBOP contacted us to assist further. This will be a joint project with DBOP. In the video different sizes can be seen from the smallest one in front to the large ones at the back. The smallest one actually hatched while Edmund was driving the Centre. The owlets will be placed with our surrogate Barn Owls for rearing. Once adult they will be rung and released. Thank you to KNP, Edmund and Frith (DBOP) for their efforts in ensuring the safety of the owlets.

08/03/2026

Owl Encounters welcomed the addition of a new species. A pair of Pearl-spotted Owlets will now permanently reside at the Centre. Amadeus (male) and Artemis (female) are between 17cm and 21 cm in height. These owlets have false eyes on the back of their heads and do not have silent flight. Towards the end of the video the false eyes can be seen. Artemis weighs 90grams and the Amadeus only 65grams. This is South Africa's second smallest owl species. Thank you to Melissa Kemp (MTPA) for granting permission for the owlets to stay at the Centre.

04/03/2026

UPDATE SPOTTED EAGLE OWL - BLOUSYSIE ESTATE. The owl was operated by Dr Mike (White River Animal Clinic) today. The procedure was successful. However, there is a long road ahead to recovery for the owl. Infection had already set in and there is fair amount of injury to the muscles. The owl will be on antibiotics for a period and hopefully the infection will be stopped. The vet will do x-rays again in 3 weeks' time. The owl will be back at the Centre tomorrow for care until his next visit to the vet. Thank you Dr Mike for your amazing surgery. Thank to Dr Jana for her involvement and support of the owl's recovery.

02/03/2026

The Spotted Eagle Owl with the injured wing was taken for x-rays at Dr Jana (Hazyview Animal Clinic). There is a fracture and Dr Mike (White River Animal Clinic) will now perform surgery on the wing. In this photo a temporary bandage has been placed over the injured wing and around the body. This is to hold the wing firm so that no further movement takes place to the fractured area. Further updates on the surgery outcome will follow later this week. Thank you to Dr Jana and Dr Mike for their invaluable assistance with the owl.

02/03/2026

Jan and Lienike van Staden contacted Dr Jana Prinsloo of the Hazyview Animal Clinic early this morning regarding an injured Spotted Eagle Owl. We subsequently collected the owl from Blousysie Estate. The owl had sustained an injury to one wing and was unable to fly. The owl is an adult male, and we are currently enroute to Dr Prinsloo for x-rays. A further update will be provided later today regarding the feasibility of repairing the wing. Thank you to the van Staden's for their concern for the owl's well-being.

22/02/2026

Late Friday afternoon Marisa Rabe (volunteer rehab) from Sanbonani Resort brought a Eurasian Hobby to the Centre. The Hobby had gotten tangled in fencing and Marisa and her son, Natie, rescued it. Luckily no fractures, just a small superficial wound. The Hobby was kept overnight, and the superficial wound was treated. On Saturday we took the Hobby to our release aviary at Sanbonani to check its flight ability. He flew beautifully and a decision was made to release him. Thank you to Marisa and Natie for their commitment to raptor conservation

10/02/2026