Hamerkop Rescue and Rehabilitation
On late August, following a request from the Canadian Embassy, MWA’s veterinary team assisted with the removal of a hamerkop nest from the roof of a house. Inside were six chicks, which were handed over to MWA partner Madyo Couto for care and rehabilitation.
Sadly, two of the chicks did not survive. The remaining four continued to develop under Madyo's care, with shelter, regular feeding and close observation as they grew.
At first, they needed to be fed by hand. Then came a promising update: all four were eating on their own, taking food from a board placed in front of their nest box. As they grew stronger, they also began catching prey themselves, an important step towards being able to live independently.
Soon, they were ready for more space and the chance to venture beyond the nest. The four were moved to a sheltered site in Boane, near the Umbeluzi River. One wasted little time testing its wings, taking flight within 20 minutes of arriving.
But the most encouraging update came later.
On a recent visit, all four were spotted together in the Belo Horizonte area, near the river. They had stayed in the area and were sharing the habitat with local herons.
From chicks dependent on hand-feeding to young birds flying and exploring their surroundings, each stage marked progress. Seeing them together again offered a welcome glimpse of how they were adapting to life beyond rehabilitation.
Our thanks to Madyo Couto for the time, patience and daily care that helped these four birds reach this point, and for continuing to follow their progress.
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