A juvenile secretary bird, found starving in the Karoo and rescued in a desperate bid to save its life, has now been safely transported to a rehabilitation centre in Dullstroom thanks to a coordinated Easter weekend mission led by The Bateleurs, a South African non-profit organisation that provides volunteer aviation support for conservation efforts.
On Sunday, 20 April 2025, Bateleurs pilot Allan Thomson completed a six-hour multi-leg flight from Orania to the Dullstroom Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre, transporting the endangered bird to its new home where it will undergo falconry training before eventual release. The mission was in support of the Endangered Wildlife Trust – Birds of Prey Programme, where Ronel Visagie of EWT, had nursed the bird back to health since its initial rescue on 17 February 2025.
Abraham Van Zyl ensured the aircraft was quickly refuelled at Orania airstrip, while the final handover was met with heartfelt enthusiasm by Magdali Theron and her team in Dullstroom, from the Dullstroom Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre.
Originally discovered starving in Calvinia and monitored via a nest camera by researchers from HawkWatch International and BirdLife SA, the young bird’s journey highlights the importance of collaborative wildlife efforts and rapid-response aerial support. Road transport would have subjected the bird to a 2-day stressful journey, making air rescue the most humane and effective option.
The Bateleurs extend their gratitude to all who made the mission possible, underscoring the power of partnership in conservation aviation.
