Rian looks into an Emalahleni woman's strange liaison with an owl
Ella Holtzhausen has been having trouble getting rid of an owl after it flew into her backyard one day and immediately took a liking to her.
Some people are born with an affinity for bonding with animals. It is as if the animals recognise a kindred spirit in them and, while other people might think cultivating a strong bond with an animal is weird, the people who build these relationships with mother nature's children often experience a special kind of fulfillment.
But what happens if all the attention from animals is unwanted?
Ella Holtzhausen has experienced extraordinary friendliness from an owl she saw flying around her home in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. Desperate for some perspective on her situation, Ella reached out to Rian in the following letter.
I would like to share my story.
Approximately six months ago I heard an owl calling in our neighbourhood. Every night when he started calling, I would imitate the sound and call back. This caused the owl to come closer and closer and eventually, the owl started flying towards me and very low over my head.
As time went on, the owl would fly over my head, lightly touching my head. One night he landed on my head.
Every night after that he would come land on my head and begin mating with me.
I would ask my daughters to go out to see how he reacts to them, and he would fly away.
The owl calls every night and will not go away if I do not go out - as if he keeps calling me.
Can you maybe tell me why this owl sees me as his mate?
Ella sent videos of herself and the owl.
Rian reached out to Jaco Buys, professional game ranger and trusted friend of the show for answers.