Realising that there was a rapid decline in owl numbers and that owls had become one of the most common wildlife casualties brought into veterinary practices, Brendan Murray and his wife, Danelle, decided fifteen years ago, to focus all their efforts on conserving them. The organisation they founded, Owl Rescue Centre, is based at Hartbeespoort in the North West Province, and now takes in approximately two-thousand owls every year through their rescue efforts. The owls are rehabilitated and when they can survive on their own in the wild, are released in the sanctuary – a farm which is located within a 12,000-hectare conservancy.
Owl Rescue Centre is a registered Non-profit company and permitted rehabilitation facility concerned with the well-being of all owl species and wildlife in Southern Africa.
Owl Rescue Centre is dedicated to protect owls, rescue owls that are in danger and rehabilitate and care for owls that have been injured, are sick, poisoned or orphaned and then release them back into their natural environment using specifically researched release methods. We are also involved in several conservation projects to decrease the high mortality rate of owl species.
Owl Rescue Centre’s vision is that through increased understanding of the owl's true character, the fears and misgivings that often surround peoples' perceptions of owls will be replaced by tolerance and respect for these unique birds.
We follow a philosophy of minimal human interference to nature’s natural means. We nurture owls when they need us, but we allow them to stay wild and return to their natural habitat when they no longer require our assistance.
Most owl species hunt and are active at night and are seldom observed by humans. Because of this nocturnal (night-time) existence, they are little known and often misunderstood, even though some owls live their entire lives in close proximity to man.
Owl Rescue Centre creates awareness among communities helping them to understand that owls share our natural habitat and play an important role in the ecological system. The education is aimed to give insight to the misperceptions people have about owls and to inform them that owls pose no threat to human beings. Owl Rescue Centre’s education is based on the principle of respect for all living creatures, no matter how big or small, they each serve a purpose in our interconnected and interdependent existence.
When Brendan and Danelle aquired the farm now known as the Owl Sanctuary, their dream was to secure a place for the owls where they would be protected and looked after, a piece of habitat that would always belong to them.
The Sanctuary is the only one of its kind in the world. Owls can be observed visiting the various feeding platforms around the Sanctuary every single night. Many have taken up residency in the Owl Houses erected on the farm, where they breed year after year.
Brendan and Danelle, following a life-long passion for the protection of wildlife, are committed to the conservation of vulnerable species and have dedicated their lives to the cause. They are both members of the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature), SSC (Species Survival Commission) & Otter Specialist Group.
When Danelle and Brendan decided to dedicate their lives to conservation, there was an urgent need to protect owls. This led to the establishment of the Owl Rescue Centre, with a primary focus on protecting this species. Owls were facing numerous threats and their population was declining. Through their determination, Danelle and Brendan were able to make a significant impact, resulting in increased owl populations and a shift in people's attitudes and actions towards conservation. The organization has expanded and diversified over time and now works towards saving and protecting a wide variety of wildlife species, while being actively involved in various biodiversity conservation and research projects.
Are you passionate about protecting our planet's precious wildlife and sustaining the diversity of life? Keep reading to discover simple yet impactful ways you can make a difference in the fight for conservation.
By supporting our rescue efforts, you can make a lasting impact on wildlife conservation and biodiversity for future generations to enjoy.
Our dream was to create a safe haven for owls, giving them a piece of habitat that remains protected and belongs entirely to them. Pledge your support to help us secure the home of over a thousand owls.
Win with Canon and Owl Rescue Centre
One of three incredible prizes are up for grabs!
Receive one entry for every R 50 donation made to Owl Rescue Centre between
15 September 2024 and 9 November 2024.