MTN is extending its powers of connectivity to some of its high-flying non-paying clientele, with a new project set to be rolled out across SA.
MTN corporate affairs executive Jacqui Sullivan said the #OwlNetwork project was aimed at supporting the nocturnal raptors, which are under siege from a variety of man-made threats despite the key pest-control role they play in urban areas.
She said the company was starting to erect owl boxes on cellphone towers with a focus on areas where owl activity was common and where the birds sometimes hampered cell tower repair work.
“MTN towers are often a favoured location for owl nests and often the particular section of the tower where they are situated delays maintenance that has to be done.
“We don’t like to remove any birds so instead in these instances we’re installing owl boxes and moving the nests to there where they can hopefully flourish.”
She said that with the Owl Rescue Centre MTN was installing 100 owl nest boxes, made from recycled plastic, across Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
“As the project gains momentum, we plan to expand [it] to other provinces nationally, working with different local owl conservation organisations, including in the Eastern Cape.
“We are looking at kicking off this next national rollout phase at the beginning of 2022, focusing on areas around the country identified as hotspots for owls.
“MTN owns more than 13,000 towers across the country, 1,200 in the Eastern Cape and 45 in Nelson Mandela Bay.”
She said the telecoms giant had a responsibility to protect the environment.
Bay owl expert and Wildline founder Arnold Slabbert said the project was positive because the Bay owl population, particularly spotted eagle and barn owls, had declined steeply because of secondary rat poisoning and the raptors needed all the help they could get.
“But construction of the boxes and how they are positioned need specialist guidance, otherwise the owls may avoid them as they are too high up and exposed, or they can be taken over by bees.”
HeraldLIVE
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