Oil-covered owl rescued after falling into drum

An oil-covered owl is recovering after falling into a drum of old machine oil at Eagle Spring Works in southern Johannesburg, according to the Owl Rescue Centre.

The wildlife organisation shared photographs of the rescue on Facebook, showing the bird covered in oil after its ordeal.The rescue team collected the owl from the site and has started treatment to remove the oil from its feathers.

Owl needs warmth while it recovers

The Owl Rescue Centre said the bird will receive several foam baths over the next few days as staff work to clean its feathers.

It will also spend time in an incubator because it cannot currently regulate its body temperature.

The centre described the owl as ‘a feisty lad’ and said he should recover with time.

‘We rescued this dirty little [buddy] from Eagle Spring Works in the south of Johannesburg this afternoon,’ the centre said in its update.

The rescue highlights the risks wildlife can face around industrial areas, where animals can come into contact with hazardous substances such as used machine oil.

The Owl Rescue Centre provides rehabilitation and care for injured and orphaned wildlife before animals are returned to suitable environments.

The centre’s update has since attracted attention online, with many people following the owl’s recovery.