Potted Plant Owls are back in Johannesburg

[Kris G.]

How awful this is.   In Johannesburg and NYC's Central Park and in all too many other locations, people seem not to understand the far-reaching consequences of poisoning rats. My best wishes to to Pappa and the juvenile. This is a most horrible ending to a truly wonderful saga.

Dot in PA

Hard to understand..people really need to be educated about secondary rodenticide poisoning.  If true, it is a horrible ending..fly free, PPO.

[AlisonL]

After reading yesterday's post, I tried to keep hoping that PPO might recover and return, despite how bad the situation seemed.

But having just read today's post, I am heartbroken and devastated that PPO was very probably poisoned. This is a huge loss. PPO has simply been the most remarkable, most beautiful owl anywhere for the past number of years, and she has taught and charmed countless people in so many countries.

I also feel so bad for Pappa and their young owlet. I so much hope that they will stay safe.

Cannot write anything more at the moment . . .     

[Kris G.]

After reading yesterday's post, I tried to keep hoping that PPO might recover and return, despite how bad the situation seemed.

But having just read today's post, I am heartbroken and devastated that PPO was very probably poisoned. This is a huge loss. PPO has simply been the most remarkable, most beautiful owl anywhere for the past number of years, and she has taught and charmed countless people in so many countries.

I also feel so bad for Pappa and their young owlet. I so much hope that they will stay safe.

Cannot write anything more at the moment . . .     

With them saying Pappa and baby are still around,  I also worry about them getting poisoned too. 

[MAK]

 

[Carol P.]

So sad.....

[Donna]

I'm not keeping up with messages pouring in on face book and email. Thank you to everyone who shared with us the PPO experience. Some good news in amongst this tragedy: We saw Pappa on a rooftop a short while ago, hooting. A minute later, their little owlet chick started 'hissing' / calling for food. We saw both of them fly together into the wetland. PPO's little one is still alive and well, and Pappa is not alone now.

[Dot_Forrester]

excellent news!

I'm not keeping up with messages pouring in on face book and email. Thank you to everyone who shared with us the PPO experience. Some good news in amongst this tragedy: We saw Pappa on a rooftop a short while ago, hooting. A minute later, their little owlet chick started 'hissing' / calling for food. We saw both of them fly together into the wetland. PPO's little one is still alive and well, and Pappa is not alone now.

Dot in PA

[Donna]

For South African PPO fans: Grab a copy of "Die Beeld" newspaper today - 28 Jan. There's a nice article about PPO.
I've been asked to provide a rough translation to the link that Cheryl Decker copied and paste below. Here is the rough summary:
"The Spotted Eagle Owl known as Pot Plant Owl who won the hearts of people around the world, is possibly dead from rat poisoning. She became well known in 2008 when she chose to nest in a pot plant on the balcony of Allan and Tracy Eccles. Allan said "We suspect she ate a poisoned rat from somewhere in the complex after we told people not to use rat poison. She came to the balcony and was struggling to breath a few weeks ago and we suspect she came to say goodbye." Pappa and the little chick are okay. "No poisons should be used in gardens for any reason" says Allan. And then the article talks about how PPO helped save a wetland with the petition everyone signed and her coffee-table book / photos. Allan ends off quoted in the article as saying "It was an honour to know PPO. I hope the male (Pappa) and the young owlet (little chick) will come and still visit".

[MAK]

Hopefully dad finds a new mate! 

[Donna]

Life here goes on....Pappa found a new mate and brought her to the nest site. He showed her the pot plant and kicked around soil. She watched and hopped in the pot plant after him, 'talking' to him as she did. The jury is still out whether she's a keeper and if the pot plant will be the chosen nest site.
In other news: the neighbours who put down rat poison were asked to remove the outside aviary attracting rats. Hopefully, this will spell the end of rat poisons required.
Will keep you posted

  and 

[MAK]

Glad to hear there may be a new mate there! 

[Donna]

PPO (right), with his new love interest, (left)   

Hope they like the POT!!! 

[Dumpsterkitty]

From Pot Plant Owl on FB

And this morning, we have an owl... New lady is quite calm. I said hello and she looked at me cautiously before looking slightly away.

Picture at PPOs FB page

[Kris G.]

From FB

Confirmation of one egg. All going well. Pappa visited the balcony last night and spent a good few minutes looking at the egg from the pillar. Then he hooted...as if pleased...and flew away

[Carol P.]