Time for the grand finale. It’s been three months since the orphaned baby owls arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and together, we have watched as they have been nursed, nurtured and learned to fly.  Now it is time for them to fly to freedom and their new lives.

Could there be a better way to start the weekend than watching Grant, Neo and Tshepo spread their wings and fly?

This will be a ‘soft’ release, the ADIWS Non-Predator Reception Area (NPRA) aviary will remain open so that they can return and we will put out food for them. We have put up owl boxes around the Sanctuary – will they stay, or head off to find their own territory? The choice is theirs.

Lesedi is not in the initial release, he is still not able to fly properly, and we believe he was injured in the fall from their nest.  The veterinarian is monitoring him, and if Lesedi cannot fly fully, he will have a safe forever home in the ADIWS aviary.

Built just this year, our NPRA has already provided a safe haven for owls, dozens of tortoises (the little house in the background of this video was added for winter protection for the rescued babies), peacocks, two springbok and one duiker antelope, and horses, and others. If you sent a donation for construction of the NPRA, then enjoy watching the video a few times with a big smile – YOU DID IT!