Owl you need is love: A life dedicated to raptors
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
When owls are in trouble, this team gets to work, hoots and all. René Laing chats to Danelle Murray about how Owl Rescue Centre became a lifeline for injured and misunderstood wildlife.
In numbers
3 000: The number of day-old chickens fed to owls every evening at Owl Rescue Centre
3–5: An adult owl can eat up to three day-old chickens per evening. A growing baby can eat up to five.
Approximately 2 000: The number of rescues a year, mainly owls
15: The number of full-time staff on the project
54 hectares: the size of the property
Threats to owls
Collisions: Owls feeding on roadkill are at risk of being hit by vehicles
Poisoning: Eating rodents that have consumed poison
Trichomoniasis: A parasite causing issues in the throat from eating infected doves or pigeons
Persecution: Due to superstitions or some traditional beliefs
In the dead of night, when most of the world is asleep, owls emerge – silent, swift, and steeped in myth. These nocturnal hunters are revered – icons of wisdom, yet often wrongly cast as omens of doom. Across South Africa, they are under threat. From collisions with cars and poisoned prey to superstition-driven persecution, owls face mounting human-made threats. Fortunately, some refuse to look away.
Owl Rescue Centre has become a lifeline for owls and other vulnerable wildlife. Run by Danelle and Brendan Murray, the centre emerged from a deeply personal turning point. “After yet another robbery,” Danelle recalls, “we asked ourselves about our purpose. We needed to do something meaningful, something no one could take away from us.”
They left conventional careers to build a life dedicated to nature. Over 15 years later, they continue to put animals first. The centre is closed to the public, opening its doors only for select fundraising events. “We won’t let funding needs come before animal welfare,” Danelle says firmly.
Owl Rescue Centre fills a vital gap. There are many rehabilitation facilities, but most focus only on rehab. This centre plays a broader role, working across most provinces in South Africa and supporting others wherever they require help.
Free to leave
The goal is always to release wildlife back into the wild, except where impossible. Each case is carefully assessed. For example, an owl from Johannesburg with trichomoniasis can receive treatment quickly and return to its home territory. A more severe injury, like a damaged wing, might require months of rehabilitation. Afterwards, a soft release happens on the centre’s expansive 54-hectare property, giving the owl a safe environment to adapt.
Learning from the owls
The Murray’s journey has always been about more than just rescue. It is about learning, observing, and contributing to science. By living side-by-side with owls (quite literally, in a treehouse on their property), Danelle and Brendan have gained a rare and intimate view into the secret lives of these nocturnal raptors.
“We have had a breeding pair in a tree for years,” Danelle shares. “We study them every night, watching how the male and female interact, how they raise their young, and the developmental stages the babies go through.”
That close connection sparked an idea: what if wild owls could raise orphaned ones? “We once had a baby spotted eagle-owl in our care, and noticed a breeding pair taking interest,” Danelle recalls. “We placed the chick in a bucket nearby, and they started feeding it.”
Using wild owls as surrogate parents has become part of their rehabilitation strategy. “In 2024, we successfully had 16 babies adopted by wild owls. It’s the best outcome, owls raising owls.” This technique helps prevent imprinting, which occurs when animals bond with humans.
Biggest donators
While companies may have the deepest pockets, Danelle explains that individuals keep the centre going. Corporate support for wildlife and conservation is rare, so they focus on creating income streams to remain as self-sustaining as possible through innovative fundraising projects.
Fundraising events
To help fund their work, Owl Rescue Centre runs several projects, from building owl houses and selling spekboom, to their rat trap initiative.
One standout effort is the Owl Sky Lounge, a dinner experience while watching owls visit nearby feeding platforms. Since owls are nocturnal, this offers a rare and unforgettable glimpse into their world. Learn more at www.owlrescuecentre.org.za/Owl-Sky-Lounge.
ThisWildEarth
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