Schools Projects
Sebokeng & Badipeng
The Sebokeng Owl Box Project
The aim of the Sebokeng owl box project is to contribute to the effective management of rodents within the Sebokeng area. It is felt that through an intensive education programme, coupled with the installation of suitably placed owl boxes, it will be possible to establish a breeding population of barn owls who live and hunt within Sebokeng. This project was motivated by the ever-increasing call by the community for a solution to their overwhelming rodent and rodent related problems.
In order to establish a suitable and sustainable habitat in Sebokeng where barn owls would have a greater chance of expansion, it was decided that certain criteria needed to be met. A reasonable abundance of food and a responsible rodenticide policy are the main requirements for an optimistic owl box installation. Due to the education requirements and general acceptance and awareness that this project needs to succeed, schools within Sebokeng were identified as an ideal point of departure. The school grounds offer an excellent potential hunting area for owls. The food source for rodents provided by the students in the form of crumbs, chips; etc; increase rodent numbers and, in turn, create an environment more conducive to barn owl occupancy. The final factor making schools so desirable for owl box project participation is that a reasonably large area in a densely populated environment can be managed without the irresponsible use of rat poison.
There are currently 36 schools in the Sebokeng and Bedipeng area that participate in the owl box project.
Education
Education is the most a critical component to the success of this project. People need to be aware of how the project works and what its aims are. In African mythology the owl has a dreadful and undeserved reputation and only through education can this be corrected. To date, the results from the Sebokeng project have been amazingly positive. After a series of meetings with local councillors; the Traditional Healers Association; Teachers Training College and the Department of Health, a list of 36 schools was decided upon. These schools were approached through the Teachers Training College and the Department of Education and all 36 undertook to participate in this project.
The aim of the Sebokeng project is to establish all 36 schools with owl boxes, create owl friendly and aware children, and help to nurture an owl-friendly disposition amongst the community. The traditional healers (witchdoctors), local councillors and school children all need to come together to achieve this.
The education programme basically involves an initial talk to the school children and teachers; a project whereby children inform and educate school neighbours and parents; the construction and installation of the owl box and finally, when prudent, the release of some of the numerous young owls which find their way into rehabilitation centres and zoos around the country.
This project has been endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and has continued support from the Roots and Shoots programme under the auspices of Dr Jane Goodall.
The release of orphaned barn owls:
The owl project is really designed to educate and create owl friendly environments; however we have found that the surrogate parent programme for young owls which find their way into captivity is a great tool for creating awareness and fostering a real appreciation of owls within these areas. Most children within townships have experienced little or no interaction with wildlife and the raising and releasing of baby barn owls has had a wonderful effect on them. Every year we receive roughly 150 baby barn owls which have been handed in at various institutions. These owlets always present a dilemma, as there is nothing wrong with them and they are easily releasable, although finding suitable release sights is always difficult. In the past these youngsters were released in pristine owl environments under the assumption that this is where they would have the best chance of survival. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Pristine environments ideal for owls invariably have resident owls in attendance. These residents are territorial and quickly chase the released owlets away. The young owls invariably die as they are totally unequipped to hunt and fend for themselves. The township project is an ideal vehicle for the release these orphaned owlets. The school children take on the responsibility of feeding and monitoring these owls during the raising and fledging period. The young owls have very little pressure from wild resident owls and the education of school neighbours significantly reduces the possibility of secondary poisoning through the use of unsafe rat poison.
Rodents are a huge problem in townships and the support of the community in seeking a solution has been excellent. The method of release is known as “hacking” and has been used successfully throughout the world. The peregrine fund utilised this method in the release of young peregrine falcons across the United States. After various communications from head teachers and councillors, as well as from the children themselves, we have no doubt that children who have named, raised and released young owlets are destined to be owl friendly adults. A pilot programme on this project has been filmed for National Geographic and various newspaper and television programmes have run stories and articles on it.
To Date:
Although 36 schools participate in this project we currently have owl boxes installed at 14. These schools were all involved in owl releases in 2005. Although this project is of interest to the media, the public and conservation organisations, funding has been a major stumbling block. The schools in these areas are totally underfunded as it is, and are unable to contribute financially. Owl boxes at Ramollela Primary School and Botjietomg School are currently occupied with barn owls and produced 7 young owls in 2005. Sharon Meyer from the University of Johannesburg is currently underway with her Msc thesis on the role of this project as an environmental education tool within disadvantaged schools.
Looking forwards:
The goal is to establish owl boxes at the remaining 22 schools in Sebokeng. Each school requires a fridge (owlet food) and the owl presentation. One of the difficulties with this project is the travel to and from these areas. On average, a round trip to Sebokeng, visiting 3 schools is roughly 400 kilometres. The Sebokeng project would also like to establish a local office within Sebokeng where information and the basic co-ordination of the project can be undertaken. Various other municipalities have contacted the Johannesburg Zoo and EcoSolutions in order to establish similar projects in other townships around the country. Dr Jane Goodall has asked whether we can extend the Owl box project into areas of Tanzania. All these communities would benefit from owl boxes and coming to terms with their mythological fear of these birds.
Partners & Sponsors:
JGI & the Roots ’n Shoots programme:
In November 2006, the Owl Box Project was delighted to join forces with the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation at the behest of the celebrated Dr. Goodall herself!
We are thrilled to announce that the JGI’s much-vaunted Roots ’n Shoots programme is now in partnership with us to enhance the success of the Owl Box Project’s scholastic programmes, and will assist us in implementing it in other areas. This is a truly symbiotic partnership in that the plan is for all Roots ’n Shoots schools in South Africa to adopt the Owl Box Project, and similarly for schools currently participating in the Owl Box Project to become Roots ’n Shoots schools. We will then look at exporting the OBP template to Tanzania and other countries in Africa that have need of easy and effective solutions to their rodent problems.
Sponsorship:
In December 06 Woodoc MD, Frikkie Greeff, and Woodoc Sales Director, Harry Gurovich, gave us the great news that Woodoc has agreed to donate to the Owl Box Project all the Woodoc product required to coat the owl boxes used for the Sebokeng and other scholastic programmes. For years we have been using Woodoc 55 as our product of choice to coat all our owl boxes, so this sponsorship is a great boost to our schools programmes, and our first batch of Woodoc 55 was delivered personally to us by Harry in December. Woodoc are also very generously helping us spread the word about owl conservation by featuring the OBP logo on Woodoc tins in stores around the country and putting a link to us on their website.
PG Bison’s PR chief, Justin Berry, gave us the very welcome news that PG Bison (they’re the chaps who own Timber City et al) would be donating all the wood required for the Sebokeng and other schools projects. In fact, we have already taken delivery of our first 50 sheets of marine ply, which is being fashioned into boxes for the schools who are awaiting their owls.
We would like to thank all our sponsors for really stepping up to the plate and giving such generous sponsorship to the projects that need their support the most. The communities which will benefit from their sponsorship cannot afford to purchase owl boxes or release pens, but stand to gain the most from the advantages to be gained by encouraging owls into their neighbourhoods. By setting up owl box projects in each of the participant schools, we hope to minimise the damage caused to children each year through the ingestion of rodenticides, while fostering an appreciation of owls and their conservation.
The Sebokeng Owl Box Project
The aim of the Sebokeng owl box project is to contribute to the effective management of rodents within the Sebokeng area. It is felt that through an intensive education programme, coupled with the installation of suitably placed owl boxes, it will be possible to establish a breeding population of barn owls who live and hunt within Sebokeng. This project was motivated by the ever-increasing call by the community for a solution to their overwhelming rodent and rodent related problems.
In order to establish a suitable and sustainable habitat in Sebokeng where barn owls would have a greater chance of expansion, it was decided that certain criteria needed to be met. A reasonable abundance of food and a responsible rodenticide policy are the main requirements for an optimistic owl box installation. Due to the education requirements and general acceptance and awareness that this project needs to succeed, schools within Sebokeng were identified as an ideal point of departure. The school grounds offer an excellent potential hunting area for owls. The food source for rodents provided by the students in the form of crumbs, chips; etc; increase rodent numbers and, in turn, create an environment more conducive to barn owl occupancy. The final factor making schools so desirable for owl box project participation is that a reasonably large area in a densely populated environment can be managed without the irresponsible use of rat poison.
There are currently 36 schools in the Sebokeng and Bedipeng area that participate in the owl box project.
Education
Education is the most a critical component to the success of this project. People need to be aware of how the project works and what its aims are. In African mythology the owl has a dreadful and undeserved reputation and only through education can this be corrected. To date, the results from the Sebokeng project have been amazingly positive. After a series of meetings with local councillors; the Traditional Healers Association; Teachers Training College and the Department of Health, a list of 36 schools was decided upon. These schools were approached through the Teachers Training College and the Department of Education and all 36 undertook to participate in this project.
The aim of the Sebokeng project is to establish all 36 schools with owl boxes, create owl friendly and aware children, and help to nurture an owl-friendly disposition amongst the community. The traditional healers (witchdoctors), local councillors and school children all need to come together to achieve this.
The education programme basically involves an initial talk to the school children and teachers; a project whereby children inform and educate school neighbours and parents; the construction and installation of the owl box and finally, when prudent, the release of some of the numerous young owls which find their way into rehabilitation centres and zoos around the country.
This project has been endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and has continued support from the Roots and Shoots programme under the auspices of Dr Jane Goodall.
The release of orphaned barn owls:
The owl project is really designed to educate and create owl friendly environments; however we have found that the surrogate parent programme for young owls which find their way into captivity is a great tool for creating awareness and fostering a real appreciation of owls within these areas. Most children within townships have experienced little or no interaction with wildlife and the raising and releasing of baby barn owls has had a wonderful effect on them. Every year we receive roughly 150 baby barn owls which have been handed in at various institutions. These owlets always present a dilemma, as there is nothing wrong with them and they are easily releasable, although finding suitable release sights is always difficult. In the past these youngsters were released in pristine owl environments under the assumption that this is where they would have the best chance of survival. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Pristine environments ideal for owls invariably have resident owls in attendance. These residents are territorial and quickly chase the released owlets away. The young owls invariably die as they are totally unequipped to hunt and fend for themselves. The township project is an ideal vehicle for the release these orphaned owlets. The school children take on the responsibility of feeding and monitoring these owls during the raising and fledging period. The young owls have very little pressure from wild resident owls and the education of school neighbours significantly reduces the possibility of secondary poisoning through the use of unsafe rat poison.
Rodents are a huge problem in townships and the support of the community in seeking a solution has been excellent. The method of release is known as “hacking” and has been used successfully throughout the world. The peregrine fund utilised this method in the release of young peregrine falcons across the United States. After various communications from head teachers and councillors, as well as from the children themselves, we have no doubt that children who have named, raised and released young owlets are destined to be owl friendly adults. A pilot programme on this project has been filmed for National Geographic and various newspaper and television programmes have run stories and articles on it.
To Date:
Although 36 schools participate in this project we currently have owl boxes installed at 14. These schools were all involved in owl releases in 2005. Although this project is of interest to the media, the public and conservation organisations, funding has been a major stumbling block. The schools in these areas are totally underfunded as it is, and are unable to contribute financially. Owl boxes at Ramollela Primary School and Botjietomg School are currently occupied with barn owls and produced 7 young owls in 2005. Sharon Meyer from the University of Johannesburg is currently underway with her Msc thesis on the role of this project as an environmental education tool within disadvantaged schools.
Looking forwards:
The goal is to establish owl boxes at the remaining 22 schools in Sebokeng. Each school requires a fridge (owlet food) and the owl presentation. One of the difficulties with this project is the travel to and from these areas. On average, a round trip to Sebokeng, visiting 3 schools is roughly 400 kilometres. The Sebokeng project would also like to establish a local office within Sebokeng where information and the basic co-ordination of the project can be undertaken. Various other municipalities have contacted the Johannesburg Zoo and EcoSolutions in order to establish similar projects in other townships around the country. Dr Jane Goodall has asked whether we can extend the Owl box project into areas of Tanzania. All these communities would benefit from owl boxes and coming to terms with their mythological fear of these birds.
Partners & Sponsors:
JGI & the Roots ’n Shoots programme:
In November 2006, the Owl Box Project was delighted to join forces with the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation at the behest of the celebrated Dr. Goodall herself!
We are thrilled to announce that the JGI’s much-vaunted Roots ’n Shoots programme is now in partnership with us to enhance the success of the Owl Box Project’s scholastic programmes, and will assist us in implementing it in other areas. This is a truly symbiotic partnership in that the plan is for all Roots ’n Shoots schools in South Africa to adopt the Owl Box Project, and similarly for schools currently participating in the Owl Box Project to become Roots ’n Shoots schools. We will then look at exporting the OBP template to Tanzania and other countries in Africa that have need of easy and effective solutions to their rodent problems.
Sponsorship:
In December 06 Woodoc MD, Frikkie Greeff, and Woodoc Sales Director, Harry Gurovich, gave us the great news that Woodoc has agreed to donate to the Owl Box Project all the Woodoc product required to coat the owl boxes used for the Sebokeng and other scholastic programmes. For years we have been using Woodoc 55 as our product of choice to coat all our owl boxes, so this sponsorship is a great boost to our schools programmes, and our first batch of Woodoc 55 was delivered personally to us by Harry in December. Woodoc are also very generously helping us spread the word about owl conservation by featuring the OBP logo on Woodoc tins in stores around the country and putting a link to us on their website.
PG Bison’s PR chief, Justin Berry, gave us the very welcome news that PG Bison (they’re the chaps who own Timber City et al) would be donating all the wood required for the Sebokeng and other schools projects. In fact, we have already taken delivery of our first 50 sheets of marine ply, which is being fashioned into boxes for the schools who are awaiting their owls.
We would like to thank all our sponsors for really stepping up to the plate and giving such generous sponsorship to the projects that need their support the most. The communities which will benefit from their sponsorship cannot afford to purchase owl boxes or release pens, but stand to gain the most from the advantages to be gained by encouraging owls into their neighbourhoods. By setting up owl box projects in each of the participant schools, we hope to minimise the damage caused to children each year through the ingestion of rodenticides, while fostering an appreciation of owls and their conservation.
Holy flying fox! It's a nursery for orphaned bats