Owl box plan for city could be the answer to rat problem.(News)

BYLINE: COURTNEY BROOKS

CAPETONIANS could soon find relief from their rat problems as well as practise their bird watching with the Urban Owl Box Project being launched in the city.

Cities have much lower owl populations than natural forests, Jonathan Haw, one of South Africa's leading raptor experts, said.

Owls nest in cavities, which are most often found in dead trees. These are considered an eyesore in developed areas and are removed, making the area less attractive to owls.

The project, which is run by environmental organisation EcoSolutions, puts the boxes, which simulate tree cavities, in urban areas to attract owls. They place them …