01/09/2026
What an inspiring day for our Eco Club!
We were thrilled to host Jacqui Gray from the Raptor Centre for a fascinating, hands-on session with our learners. It was an extra-special visit, as Jacquiโs daughter, Christina MacLeod, is one of our very own Kloof High School students!
From exploring career paths in conservation to meeting incredible feathered guests, there was so much to learn:
Conservation needs EVERY skill: whether you're into biology, coding (tracking device apps!), marketing, medicine, ecotourism, or educationโthereโs a vital place for you in wildlife protection.
Meet Lucy & Barry: We got to meet Lucy, a leucistic spotted eagle-owl whose rare sex-linked "blonde" colouring means she can't be released into the wild, as well as Barry, the African wood owl held by Christina!
Owl Myth-Busting:
๐ฆAre they super smart? Actually, their huge eyes leave very little room for brain space!
๐ฆ360-degree neck turn? Not quiteโthey turn up to 270 degrees thanks to 14 neck vertebrae (we only have 7!).
๐ฆRat poison danger: Poison doesn't just target rodentsโit bioaccumulates and harms raptors and owls who eat them.
A huge thank you to Jacqui Gray for sharing her passion, busting myths, and inspiring our future scientists and environmental leaders!
If you would like to see these amazing birds in person, you can visit the African Raptor Centre at the Tala Collection Game Reserve. - http://africanraptor.com/