BAHRAIN’S only rehabilitation facility for birds of prey is promoting a project to protect barn owls, under threat of becoming victims of either illegal trade or unintentional poisoning.
Increasing the owl population will help in decreasing the use of chemicals and pesticides as these birds feed on mice and insects that in turn feed on garbage, according to an expert.
The project, floated by non-profit organisation Raptor Rehab, involves placing ‘owl boxes’ across the country.
Co-founders Natalie Young and Ahmed Al Sharaf hope the initiative will replicate the success of a similar venture carried out in South Africa.
They are now seeking sponsorship for the yellow custom-made homes for barn owls.
Bahrain is home to one of the 16 species of raptor birds in the world identified by its large head and distinctive heart-shaped faces.
A prototype of an ‘owl box’ has been made for Pip, a five-month-old barn owl who is a permanent resident at Ms Young’s home in Saar which is also being used as a facility to rehabilitate scores of raptors which are then released.
“Initially, we plan to place around 10 such boxes at specific locations across Bahrain, and for this we urge support from people,” the 36-year-old South African told the GDN in an exclusive interview.
“We got the prototype made for Pip, a barn owl who could not be released as he looks up to me as his mum.
“We are self-funded but we need sponsors for the owl boxes which cost around BD35 each.
“This is our project for 2019 and follows a model that is being successfully implemented in South Africa.
“We are also in talks with the United Nations Environment because a project such as this needs outside help.”
Since it was established three-and-a-half years ago, Raptor Rehab has rehabilitated and released close to a hundred birds of prey; last year alone the centre received 53 such birds.
Currently, the facility has four birds – Pip, George (a yellow-billed Kite), Shamal (a falcon) and, the latest addition, Hades (an eagle).
“Someone found him (Hades) injured; it looks like he crashed into a fence, his wings are all bruised,” said Mr Al Sharaf.
“As per procedure, people have to drop a bird at a clinic we work with and we pick it up from there – where we have access to facilities such as X-rays, antibiotics and migration tools.
“We had to custom-make Hades’ hood and anklets, and we hope to release him in three weeks.”
George, Pip and Shamal are educational ambassadors as they are taken on school visits by keepers who speak to the children on the importance of protecting raptors, highlighting that they are not pets.
“We see a lot of these birds on sale and most of them are protected; it is difficult to convince people that these birds are not pets,” said Ms Young.
“We step in whenever we come across such birds in danger; we treat them, test their ability to fly and hunt, and then release them.”
Ms Young and Mr Al Sharaf have also worked on international migration of birds successfully, working along with government entities and other NGOs.
“One of our major projects last year was working on the international relocation of three Egyptian vultures with Oman.
“We rescued these birds, kept them here for a year and a half and then, through sponsorship from Oman Air, we were able to release them.”
“Shamal, my pet, is a rescue bird and an educational ambassador. We take her to schools where we speak of the role of falcons in Bahrain’s culture and heritage.
“We also highlight the importance of protecting these birds and prevent them from becoming victims of illegal trade.
“We will hopefully relocate Shamal somewhere in Africa soon.”
Ms Young, a school teacher, started working on her passion as soon as she moved to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia four years ago with husband Michael Enslin, daughter Ella, aged 12, and 10-year-old Aden.
“I am passionate about falconry, it has an incredible history,” she said.
“While we were in Saudi Arabia for over seven years, women were not allowed to practise falconry or even look at a bird.
“So as soon as we moved to Bahrain, I used the opportunity and set up Raptor Rehab with Ahmed in 2015.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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