Birds nursed back to health
SAVED from the brink of death after the devastating Knysna and Plettenberg Bay fires, two secretary birds tasted freedom again following three months of intensive rehabilitation.
The birds – a young female and an adult male – underwent rehabilitation at Radical Raptors, a rehabilitation centre for birds of prey on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay, over the past three months after they were found near the town and at the Knysna Lagoon.
Tania Robson, of Radical Raptors, said both birds were starving and highly distressed when they were brought to the centre.
“The young female was found lying in the water in the Knysna Lagoon with seagulls attacking it, while the male was found on Plett’s Airport Road. Both were in a bad shape,” Robson said.
She said these were rare sightings as in the nine years of operating the centre they had never dealt with secretary birds.
Robson said when the birds arrived on June 11 they were kept in a dark enclosed space.
“It is essential in getting them calm. Distress is dangerous for birds of prey and can kill them.
“The female was especially weak when she arrived.”
The birds were given medication and food to build strength.
“Luckily, they did not have any major physical injuries.”
Robson said the two had very healthy appetites.
“In the beginning it was easy to feed them, but as they gained strength they became very feisty.
“Whoever fed them was in danger of being ninja-kicked with those long, strong legs.”
Robson said the birds were at first kept apart, but two weeks before their release they were introduced to each other.
“This went well and they got on from the start,” she said.
Dr Mark Brown, of the Nature’s Valley Trust, assisted in ringing both birds to ensure they could be identified if seen in the future.
Robson said that once the birds were nursed back to health, they decided it was time to release them – and chose the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve.
“It is a great spot as there are many open spaces. Secretary birds love open spaces.”
Brothers Dennis and Mark Robson, the centre’s falconers, each transported a bird to their new home on Monday.
Robson said if anyone spotted the birds, they were welcome to contact the centre.