Natuurboerdery®, ZZ2’s environmentally-friendly approach to farming, contributed to the release of rehabilitated owls in their eco-friendly tomato fields and avocado orchards.

Not only are the owls a natural way to control rodents, but the farmlands are a food rich environment for these top predators. The landscape is populated with small game which is a direct result of Natuurboerdery®,where the harmful impact of commercial farming on the ecosystem has been mitigated over two decades.

The barn and wood owls are from the Tzaneen Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and are released periodically in the Koedoes Valley production areas near Mooketsi when they are able to hunt for themselves.

Azelle Grobler, founder of the Centre, says the cause of injuries to most birds can be attributed to accidental or intentional human interference. “They have collided with cars, or flown into windows or power lines,” says Azelle.

She is a farm girl who grew up in Gravelotte and has been caring for injured small game all her life. Although the Centre in Tzaneen receives donations of food and veterinary care, she mostly finances her passion through her work as a hairdresser. In the Greater Letaba area, she is considered the ‘go-to’ person for raising orphaned baby animals with the aim of reintroduction into the wild.

Before release, the owls are ringed and kept in outdoor enclosures in the Mooketsi area. They are released for short periods with food still provided. Once they are self-sufficient, they do not return and start to hunt and hopefully also breed. “On the ZZ2 farms, due to a responsible disease control programme, the rodents are a safe source of food for the owls. And the ZZ2 farmers benefit of course by controlling rodents in the most natural way possible.”

“This is a great example of Natuurboerdery® in action. Where the natural processes of nature are aligned with human activities to the benefit of all,” says Wiam Haddad, ecologist and head of ZZ2 Research and Development.