22/10/2025
๐ฃ๐ต๐ผ๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐
๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ
Late on Thursday evening, a concerned homeowner heard unusual noises coming from her fireplace. When the sounds continued into Friday morning, she realized there was a bird trapped inside and immediately contacted the SPCA for help.
Inspectors Theo Mokgatle and Jeffrey Mathabela rushed out to assist. Despite trying several creative methods โ including attempting to guide the bird out with a hanger โ the openings of the fireplace were simply too small to reach or safely remove it.
After all attempts failed, the homeowner arranged for her father to come by with a grinder to help cut open the panels. Unfortunately, the fireplace had two layers of panels, making it impossible for him to access the bird.
Determined not to give up, the family named the bird Phoenix โ a symbol of hope and survival. They managed to contact a builder who could assist the next morning. On the advice of Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, they provided Phoenix with food and water through the small holes to keep it stable overnight.
On Saturday morning, Inspector Mokgatle returned to the residence.The builder arrived and carefully used a grinder to open the fireplace. Thanks to the teamwork, patience, and compassion of everyone involved, Phoenix was finally freed and immediately taken to Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for treatment.
The veterinary team found that Phoenix was very thin, likely having been trapped inside the fireplace for quite some time. The bird is now receiving care, will be tested for trichomoniasis (โtrichโ) disease, and once fully recovered, will be released back into the wild where it belongs.
In an incredible act of kindness, the homeowner now plans to replace the entire fireplace, accepting the damage as a small price to pay for saving a life.
A true story of compassion, teamwork, and hope โ Phoenixโs rescue reminds us all that every life, no matter how small, is worth fighting for.
.murugen
