Raptor Rescue Plett

03/09/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!

A tree is more than just a tree, it is oxygen, shade, biodiversity, livelihoods and a legacy for generations to come.

Under the theme “𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗠𝘆 𝗢𝘅𝘆𝗴𝗲𝗻, 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆” we’re calling on South Africans to play their part in growing a greener, healthier and more sustainable future.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

Because the future we want starts with what we plant today.

02/09/2026

Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves to remind ourselves how lucky we are!
A VERY special thank you to Sharon van Hees from Formosa Indigenous Nursery, who reached out to us following our major pine felling in July and generously donated a trailer full of beautiful indigenous trees and plants to help us restore the areas where the old pines were removed. We asked Sharon for plants that would provide food and habitat for insects and birds, and we are absolutely thrilled with her thoughtful selection. These plants are the beginning of a healthier, more vibrant landscape, and we can’t wait to watch it transform as everything takes root and grows.
Thank you, Sharon, for helping us plant for the future! 🙏🌿💚
A huge thank you also to Lizelle Donian for the beautiful concrete eagle that now proudly adorns our entrance, and to John Gardner, who has helped us countless times over the years with his trusty trailer, always willing to fetch and carry whatever we need, thank you!
We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a giving, caring and supportive community. Together, we are creating something very special for wildlife and for future generations. 🌿🦅💚

02/09/2026

You don’t have to go to the Kruger to see a bird of prey.

You’ve probably seen photos of magnificent eagles and thought, “One day, I’d love to see one of those.”

Well, look up.

That day could be today.

We photographed this Long-crested Eagle on Airport Road. Birds of prey are often much closer to us than we realise, sitting quietly on telephone poles, fence posts or the highest branches of trees, watching the world below.

And while they’re an impressive sight, they’re doing something much more important than simply looking good.

Raptors are predators, helping to keep populations of rodents and other small animals in balance. They’re a quiet but essential part of a healthy ecosystem.

So how can we help them thrive?

One of the biggest things we can do is keep poison out of the food chain. Rodent poison doesn’t only affect the animal that eats it. Raptors and other predators can be poisoned when they eat contaminated prey. Choosing poison-free rodent control is a simple way to protect them.

And if you ever find an injured, grounded or otherwise distressed bird of prey, there is help.

Raptor Rescue is a local rehabilitation centre dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing birds of prey. Their work goes far beyond individual rescues: they care for injured wildlife, educate the community and help people find wildlife-friendly ways to deal with challenges such as rodents.
You can also get up close, responsibly, with flight demonstrations and educational experiences at the rescue centre.

So next time you’re out and about, look up at the poles and treetops.

You might be closer to a magnificent bird of prey than you think.

01/09/2026

We are incredibly lucky to have neighbours who care not only for their community through Harkerville Rural Protection, but also for the wildlife that shares it.
This Spotted eagle owl was admitted last weekend after being rescued from a dam, where he had been chased into the water by hadedas. He was concussed, with irregular pupils indicative of head trauma, and extremely weak and emaciated. X-rays revealed a hairline fracture in one wrist, while bruising to both wings and his feet raised the possibility of electrical trauma.
He received pain relief, medication and supportive care, including assisted feeding. Sadly, despite our efforts, this beautiful owl did not make it.
We are incredibly grateful to Ollie and Loraine Olivier for rescuing him from the dam, bringing him to us for treatment, and for their generous donation, which helps us continue giving injured and vulnerable birds the care and second chances they deserve. 🦉❤️
Thank you for looking out for your community....and your feathered neighbours.🙏

17/08/2026

We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to the Mazhar family for their incredibly generous donation to Raptor Rescue Plett.
Your support has made an immediate and meaningful difference. It has allowed us to purchase much-needed items, including a new washing machine, new rescue and rehabilitation crates, stock up on veterinary supplies and F10 products, and help cover our veterinary bills.
It has also helped keep our essential bills at bay during the past two months, while we have been forced to keep our doors closed as we continue with repairs.
The relief this has brought to our team is difficult to put into words. The financial pressure of running a small wildlife rehabilitation centre is immense, and your generosity has lifted a weight from our shoulders at a time when we truly needed it.
Most importantly, your gift allows us to spend less time worrying about simply keeping the doors open and more time focusing on what really matters.
To the Mazhar family, thank you for believing in our work and for standing behind us during such a challenging time. Your kindness will make a lasting difference to Raptor Rescue and, ultimately, to the birds that depend on us. 🦉❤️
We are incredibly grateful to have your support 🙏

17/08/2026

Please take note that Raptor Rescue Plett will be closed to the public for the next two weeks while we continue with essential repairs and upgrades to our enclosures and rehabilitation facilities.
Although our education centre will be closed to visitors, we remain available to assist with wildlife rescues and rehabilitation during this time.
If you require assistance, please contact us on 078 135 3611 or email [email protected].
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to improve our facilities and provide an even better environment for the birds in our care.
🦉 We look forward to welcoming visitors back for Spring on 1 September 2026! 🌿

📌 VISITOR CLOSURE DATES
🦅 Scheduled Annual Closure Dates – Please Plan Ahead 🦅
To ensure the highest standard of care for our birds and to support the wellbeing of our dedicated team, Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay observes scheduled annual closure periods.

🔓The centre will be closed to visitors on the following dates:
• 23 February – 2 March (Reopens Tuesday, 3 March)
• 26 May – 1 June (Reopens Tuesday, 2 June)
• 17 August – 31 August (Reopens Tuesday, 1 September)
• 23 November – 30 November (Reopens Tuesday, 1 December)

During these periods, essential animal care, maintenance and rehabilitation continue behind the scenes to ensure the centre operates responsibly and sustainably year-round.

📅 Please plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support 💚

15/08/2026

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

💙 A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE PLETT DINNER CLUB! 🦅
We are incredibly grateful to Rob for inviting Raptor Rescue Plett to be the beneficiary of this Friday night’s Plett Dinner Club! Your support could help us complete a very special project.
We are raising the remaining funds needed to finish a larger, purpose-built enclosure for our two non-releasable African fish eagles, Nkosi and Yemaya.
🦅 Nkosi has been with us since 2021 after being rescued by VulPro following a collision with an overhead power line. Yemaya was rescued in August 2025 with a serious wing injury. Sadly, neither bird is able to return to the wild.
When the devastating May storms destroyed our fish eagle enclosure for the second time, we decided to turn the setback into an opportunity to build something bigger and better for both birds.
African fish eagles are known to form long-term pair bonds, and we hope that, through a carefully managed introduction, Nkosi and Yemaya may have the opportunity to form a bond of their own. ❤️ Their new home will provide the space, safety and enrichment they deserve, while also creating an opportunity for visitors to learn more about these magnificent birds and their conservation.
🎁 WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are looking for prizes from local businesses and our community that can be auctioned or raffled at Friday’s event. Donating a prize is a wonderful way to support wildlife conservation while giving your business valuable exposure to everyone attending.
If you would like to donate a prize or contribute towards our enclosure campaign, please get in touch on 078 135 3611. Every contribution makes a difference!
🙏 Thank you, Rob and the Plett Dinner Club, for supporting our work. We can't wait to see everyone on Friday night!