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NSPCA Clears Coca-Cola in Midrand Owl Death After Full Investigation
Public outrage turns to relief as investigation finds no foul play
When news broke that a barn owl had died inside Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s Midrand plant earlier this month, South Africans were furious. Accusations of cruelty spread rapidly online, sparking calls for boycotts and heated debate about corporate responsibility and wildlife protection. But now, the National Council of the Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (NSPCA) has put the matter to rest, confirming that the incident was a tragic accident, not a case of human harm.
After a full investigation by its Wildlife Protection Unit, the NSPCA found no evidence of deliberate wrongdoing by Coca-Cola or its staff. The owl, according to CCTV footage and a veterinary post-mortem, died from internal head injuries consistent with an accidental collision.
CCTV footage tells the story
The investigation, led by Chief Inspector Douglas Wolhuter, pieced together the owl’s final movements inside the Midrand facility. Employees recalled first seeing the bird fly into the plant late on 7 October. Around 10:30 pm, it struck a glass window. Later, at 12.24 am, CCTV footage showed the owl colliding heavily with another glass door before falling to the floor, injured.
“The owl briefly regained consciousness but later succumbed to its injuries,” the NSPCA report confirmed. The cause of death was listed as “internal bleeding within the skull,” matching the impact trauma visible in the footage.
Importantly, investigators stressed, “There was no evidence of deliberate harm or human intent.”
Coca-Cola halts production and cooperates fully
When the injured owl was first reported, Coca-Cola’s on-site team halted operations and called pest control for help. In turn, a specialist from The Owl Rescue Project, Brendan Murray, was dispatched to assist. He later described how Coca-Cola stopped all production, losing “hundreds of thousands in revenue” while awaiting help.
Unfortunately, by the time Murray was en route to Midrand, the NSPCA confirmed that the owl had already died. The deceased bird was then transferred, under the authorisation of the Gauteng Department of Environment, to the Johannesburg Zoo for examination.
Throughout the investigation, the NSPCA noted that Coca-Cola and its local bottling partner offered full cooperation, providing unrestricted access to CCTV footage, documents, and the facility itself.
Lessons for industry and conservation
While the death of any wild creature is heartbreaking, the NSPCA acknowledged that incidents like this point to a bigger challenge, the growing overlap between urban industry and natural habitats. As urbanisation expands, owls and other wildlife are more frequently finding themselves in built-up areas and warehouse spaces where reflective glass, noise, and light can confuse or disorient them.
The NSPCA says it plans to continue working with Coca-Cola to promote wildlife safety and awareness within industrial environments.
As for Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, the company has expressed that the event was “deeply regrettable” and that they remain committed to ensuring it never happens again.
What began as a public outcry over animal cruelty has ended as a reminder of something more complex: the need to protect wildlife even in the most unexpected places, from forests and farmlands to factory floors.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: SPCA
