Get ready for a hoot!
Every year on August 4, the world observes International Owl Day. The Johannesburg Zoo has a full line-up of activities to ensure you celebrate the day in a memorable way, where you will experience the magic of the night birds.
The zoo will celebrate the day with three main activities at the Meesers Aviary and the Owl Training Centre.
There will be an owl demo, owl tour, and owl training. The activities will take place not just on International Owl Day but will extend until 8 August.
"Hoot Hoot 🦉🦉Join us for an educational week focused on uncovering the secrets and debunking the myths about owls. The activities will include exhibition stands, owl tour, and demonstrations," wrote Joburg Zoo on Facebook.
Fun facts about owls in South Africa
South Africa is blessed with 12 of the over 200 owl species in the world. It is home to the largest owl in Africa, the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, states Travel for Wildlife.
The Johannesburg zoo has the following owls: Lwazi and Nhlanhla, the spotted Eagle owls, who are sisters and are are almost ten years old. The zoo also has 12-year-old Stinson, a barn owl and Nkani, the eight-year-old Cape eagle. It also has Gylfie, the 14-year-old African wood owl and 25-year-old Stinson, a white-face scoops owl.
Several owl species are currently listed as endangered on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the Johannesburg zoo site, some of the threats to owls include:
Habitat loss
Pesticides that poison the birds and their food supplies
Persecution because of superstitions
Vehicle collisions
Human wire fences, and even well-meaning birders can also be hazardous to owls.
The project is aimed at creating educational awareness for people, and will also focus on the benefits of having owls within the communities.
Zoo entrance fees: Adult pay R132, students, children from age three until twelve years and pensioners pay R78.
Read more about the zoo here.
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