Owl' s tragic demise at Coca-Cola plant ruled accidental
An investigation into the cause of death of a barn owl at a Coke bottling plant has revealed that the animal suffered a fatal brain injury, not caused by deliberate harm.
The National Council of SPCAs’s Douglas Wolhuter, explained that the owl entered the Midrand Bottling Plant of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa on October 8.
After interviewing staff, reviewing CCTV footage, an on-site inspection and examination of a post-mortem report, it was found that no human interference led to the owl’s death.
“On October 7, staff saw the owl flying inside the facility and contacted bird control for help. Later that night, the owl flew into an internal glass windowpane and continued to fly inside the premises,” Wolhuter explained.
He said CCTV footage showed that on October 8, the owl flew into another internal glass door and fell to the ground, appearing injured, in a corner of a room.
Wolhuter said the owl briefly regained consciousness sometime thereafter, before succumbing to its injuries and was later found deceased by an employee in the early hours of the morning.
“Later that morning, the service provider contacted an owl rescue organisation for assistance, but the request was cancelled after it was confirmed that the owl had already died. CCBSA subsequently contacted the Gauteng Department of Environment for authorisation to move the carcass and took it to Johannesburg Zoo, where an autopsy was conducted,” he said.
A subsequent post-mortem showed that the animal suffered internal bleeding in its skull and there was no evidence of deliberate harm.
“Accordingly, after reviewing the full evidence – including CCTV footage viewed first-hand by the NSPCA – there is no indication of a contravention of the Animals Protection Act or relevant biodiversity laws. The evidence confirms that the owl’s death resulted from an accidental collision, with no human involvement or intent,” Wolhuter stated.
He said the NSPCA’s investigation is concluded.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
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