#followerseveryonehighlightsThrowback Thursday: Barney’s Journey with Free Spirit

Date: July 18, 2023

Dear Friends and Supporters,

For this Throwback Thursday, I want to share a truly special success story that holds a huge place in my heart: Barney, the Barn Owl.

It all started on April 28, 2023, when I received a call from a kind lady in Kosi Bay. She had found a baby owl, a beautiful barn owl, that had fallen about 10 meters from its nest in a chimney. My immediate concern was for internal injuries, but I advised her to keep him warm and what to feed – and, importantly, what not to feed, including water. She offered to drive all the way from Kosi Bay to meet me in Sodwana, which just shows the dedication of people who care.

When we finally met, my eyes were immediately drawn to him. His beautiful, heart-shaped face instantly stole my heart. I invited Adel, Ben, and Martin (the kind people who brought Barney) back to the sanctuary with me. That day, not only did I meet Barney, but I also began a wonderful friendship with Adel and her boys that continues to this day. I truly thank God for bringing them into my life – all thanks to Barney!

Barney was my very first bird of prey rescue, and it was a steep learning curve. My rule of thumb is that after three days, animals are usually out of the woods, and thankfully, Barney proved that rule mostly true. He was so tiny, needing feeds every three hours, day and night, of one-day-old chickens. And wow, did he grow! I watched him transform daily, not just in size but in personality, from a helpless baby to a confident little owl who could feed himself.

Getting him ready for release involved four stages, especially since Free Spirit was just starting out. First, he was in a small cage with a heating pad to keep him warm. As he grew, I moved him to a bigger cage with sand and grass. Then, I built a small aviary for him on my porch – where our kitchen now stands – giving him more space to play (and yes, they are very playful!). Finally, once I was sure he was strong and healthy, he moved into the large flight cage.

He was incredibly active, even as a baby. I’ll never forget his unique call when he’d catch a gecko or something on the outside of his enclosure. He’d call and call until I came to see, like he was saying, “Look what I caught! But I can’t bring it in!” So, I’d have to retrieve his catch from the outside and bring it in for him. I could go on and on about Barney because I learned so much from him.

Just before his release, we took him to Hluhluwe to get his special “jewelry” – a ring with a unique number. This way, if he’s ever caught again, we’ll know where he ended up. It was there that I also met Kevin from Wild Tomorrow, who has been an incredible help to me ever since.

Finally, on August 6th 2023, it was Barney’s big day – his release! It was my first ever release, and emotions were incredibly high. Having spent so much time with him, questions flooded my mind: “Did I do a good job? Is he ready? Is it the right time?” But that night, just before dark, we opened his enclosure, and it was truly beautiful to watch. You could see him realize he was free, able to go wherever he wanted. I was so incredibly proud, yet so sad to say goodbye.

Even now, he sometimes flies over the property and gives me that distinctive scream of his. In the beginning, he’d even come and sit in one of my big trees at night, call out, and then be off again.

Thanks to Barney, I met Adel and her boys, who have become like family. We work hard together to save our wildlife. Adel, based in the Kosi Bay area, often helps me by bringing wildlife from her side to the sanctuary.

During his time with me, Barney ate approximately 485 one-day-old frozen chickens and 35 frozen mice (we are not allowed to feed live animals). This was Barney’s incredible journey with Free Spirit!

Dear Barney,

I remember you so vividly. You still hold such a special place in my heart. Just seeing your heart-shaped face brings back so many memories. You taught me so much about the beauty of owls. I had so much fun watching you grow each day and witnessing your unique personality.

Haha, I’ll never forget your special call every time you caught something in the flight cage at night! You wouldn’t stop until I came to have a look. Sometimes, you still fly over the property at night and give me that special call, and I know it’s you. You’re a true success story, little guy.

With love and gratitude,

#teamwork#wildliferescue#wildliferescue#trowbackthursday#barnowl#sodwanabay