Author Archives: de Wets Wild

About de Wets Wild

Nature and wildlife enthusiast, based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Hali the Fish Eagle

27 Replies

Hali is an African Fish Eagle that calls the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre home. She’s a majestic creature, and regularly and proudly announces her presence with that beautiful call that is so quintessential of Africa’s wild places. Hali is unfortunately hopelessly imprinted on humans and cannot be released back into the wild. This notwithstanding, she’s as adept as any wild Fish Eagle at snatching her food from the water.

Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Hali the Fish Eagle (photo by Joubert)

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle

20 Replies

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle was stolen from her nest as a chick to become someone’s exotic pet, and it was her good fortune that she ended up at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre where she is now cared for with great affection. Ashanti’s quite the diva, and who can blame her when she is so entrancingly beautiful?

Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle (photo by Joubert)
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle (photo by Joubert)
One of Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle’s claws
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle
Ashanti the Verreaux’s Eagle

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Libra the Bateleur

13 Replies

Libra is an immature Bateleur that was badly injured after being hit by a vehicle. So badly injured in fact, that a vet advised she be euthanised. The dedicated staff at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre decided neverthless to give saving her life their best shot, and today Libra is finding her wings again, so to speak. Libra’s a very shy youngster – reminiscent of a child hiding behind her mother when meeting a stranger – and the way she has bonded with her caregiver Magdali will melt your heart.

Libra with Magdali at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre
Libra the Bateleur
Libra the Bateleur
Libra the Bateleur (photo by Joubert)
Libra the Bateleur (photo by Joubert)
Libra the Bateleur (photo by Joubert)
Libra the Bateleur (photo by Joubert)

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Rooney the Secretary Bird

25 Replies

Rooney the Secretary Bird was snatched from his nest as a chick, with the intention to be raised to adulthood and then killed for his body parts to be used in superstitious rituals. Thankfully the authorities could confiscate him before these cruel plans were brought to fruition and he now resides at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. Being imprinted on humans, Rooney wants nothing to do with other secretary birds and cannot be released back into the wild. If you are a sports lover Rooney’s name will quickly make sense to you when you see his powerful kicks (though he directs these to the head of a rubber-cobra rather than a football).

Rooney the Secretary Bird
Rooney the Secretary Bird
Rooney the Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)
Rooney the Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)
Rooney the Secretary Bird
Rooney the Secretary Bird
Rooney the Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)
Rooney the Secretary Bird
Rooney the Secretary Bird

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Ginger the Lanner Falcon

16 Replies

Ginger the Lanner Falcon is one of the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre‘s success stories – she arrived at the centre having been shot through the wing, but has recovered so wonderfully that she is set to be released back into the wild before the end of the year! For now she is given regular flying exercise and sometimes the visiting public are lucky enough to witness her practice sessions, like we were when we visited recently.

Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)
Ginger the Lanner Falcon
Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)
Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)
Ginger the Lanner Falcon
Ginger the Lanner Falcon
Ginger the Lanner Falcon
Ginger the Lanner Falcon (photo by Joubert)
Ginger the Lanner Falcon

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

 

Daphne the Spotted Eagle-owl

17 Replies

Daphne is the sweetest Spotted Eagle-owl you could ever hope to meet (though her table manners leave a lot to be desired). She has lived at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre all her life. The tree her parents were incubating Daphne in was chopped down and, miraculously, Daphne’s egg was the only one of the clutch that didn’t shatter. The egg was brought to the rehab centre and, on detecting a heartbeat in the egg, they decided to hatch it and raise the chick by hand. While she is imprinted on humans and cannot be released, Daphne’s dear personality is just the ticket to dispel any ill-conceived superstition visitors may hold about owls. She’s a true ambassador for all owl-kind.

Joubert with Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Joubert with Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl (photo by Joubert)
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl
Daphne, the Spotted Eagle Owl

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Charlie the Peregrine Falcon

11 Replies

Charlie is a Peregrine Falcon that lives at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. He was raised by a falconer and imprinted on humans, which is why he cannot be released. Charlie is 13 years old now – quite old for a bird his size – but still possesses the incredible speed and agility his species is known for.

Charlie the Peregrine Falcon (photo by Joubert)
Charlie the Peregrine Falcon
Charlie the Peregrine Falcon
Charlie the Peregrine Falcon
Charlie the Peregrine Falcon
Charlie the Peregrine Falcon
Charlie the Peregrine Falcon

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

 

Jester the Harris Hawk

18 Replies

Jester is a Harris’s Hawk, a species native to the Americas. He’s found his way to the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre after being donated to it by a falconer. Being imprinted on humans and not being native to South Africa, he can never be released into the wild. Jester is an amazingly agile flier and very intelligent – traits that make his species formidable hunters in the wild.

Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk (photo by Joubert) – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa
Jester the Harris Hawk – not a species indigenous to South Africa

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Vinkel the Wood Owl

36 Replies

Vinkel is a little Wood Owl that lives at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. When he was a little chick he fell out of his nest. Well-meaning humans picked him up and tried to hand-raise him, feeding him a mix of minced meat and – shockingly – cotton wool; a horribly incorrect tip they found on the internet, supposedly meant to simulate the hair and feathers that owls normally ingest and then regurgitate as owl pellets. As a result, little Vinkel’s growth was stunted and he imprinted on humans, meaning that he can never be released into the wild – thankfully he made it to Dullstroom in time for his life to be saved. I think it is also necessary to mention at this point that any little bird found out of its nest is best returned to it or as close as can be to its parents if at all possible – it is not true that the parent birds, of any species, will reject a chick because it “smells” of human.

Vinkel the Wood Owl (picture by Joubert)
Vinkel the Wood Owl (picture by Joubert)
Vinkel the Wood Owl
Vinkel the Wood Owl (picture by Joubert)
Vinkel the Wood Owl
Vinkel the Wood Owl
Vinkel the Wood Owl (picture by Joubert)

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).

Chewy the Harrier-Hawk

26 Replies

Chewy is an African Harrier-Hawk that lives at the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre. Like Magdali, one of the centre’s duo of passionate managers, Chewy exchanged big city living for the romance of the countryside when she was sent to Dullstroom as a gift from the Lory Park Sanctuary in Johannesburg. Chewy’s quite a talkative lady, and treated us to a very interesting display of her flying and foraging abilities.

Chewy the Harrier Hawk
Chewy the Harrier Hawk
Chewy the Harrier Hawk (photo by Joubert)
Chewy the Harrier Hawk (photo by Joubert)
Chewy the Harrier Hawk (photo by Joubert)
Chewy the Harrier Hawk
Chewy the Harrier Hawk
Chewy the Harrier Hawk foraging for a snack inside a log
Chewy the Harrier Hawk foraging for a snack inside a log (photo by Joubert)
Chewy the Harrier Hawk foraging for a snack inside a log
Chewy the Harrier Hawk foraging for a snack inside a log
Chewy the Harrier Hawk foraging for a snack inside a log (photo by Joubert)
Reward! Chewy the Harrier Hawk foraging for a snack inside a log. (photo by Joubert)

As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).