African Zoos

Here is a list of animal collections and zoos in Africa. Eventually it will have history and maps as well as guidebooks.

In 1989 a group of Serowe residents conceived the idea of a wildlife reserve near Serowe. Serwe Pan, then a cattle post, had been a traditional hunting area teeming with wildlife and the residents wished to re-establish it to its earlier splendour. In 1993 the Ngwato Land Board allocated the land around Serwe Pan to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust.

The site was chosen due to its excellent habitat for rhinoceros, central location and proximity to a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) base, which provides the Sanctuary with 24hr protection. Covering approximately 4,300 hectares of Kalahari sandveld, the Sanctuary is centred around Serwe Pan - a large grass-covered depression with several natural water holes. Serwe Pan provides prime habitat for white rhinoceros and other grazing animals, whilst the denser vegetation in the southern area of the Sanctuary is favoured by browsing animals such as giraffe.

The Sanctuary is a community trust governed by a Board of Trustees who are elected from the local communities of Serowe, Paje and Mabeleapodi. The Vice President of Botswana, Lt .Gen.S.K.I. Khama, Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato, is Patron of the Trust.

The Sanctuary lies 25km north of historic Serowe on the Serowe-Orapa road. Serowe, one of the largest traditional villages in Africa, is the birthplace of Botswana's first President, the late Sir Seretse Khama. Paje and Mabeleapodi are two small picturesque villages within fifteen kilometres of the Sanctuary.

To date, 14 white rhino have been translocated into the Sanctuary. In February 1993, four rhinos were translocated from northern Botswana. This was accomplished by the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks with the help of the Natal Parks Board. The rhinos were placed in very large bomas which were built by volunteers from the local communities. One of these rhino had been seriously wounded by poachers bullets just prior to capture and died within a month of translocation. Another rhino died in October 1994 despite the best veterinary care. Another young bull was brought to the Sanctuary bomas in May 1994.

A 28km electric fence, sponsored by Debswana and De Beers, was completed in June 1995. All the rhinos were then released from their bomas to roam free within the Sanctuary. Later that month the North West Parks Board of South Africa donated and translocated five more white rhino to the Sanctuary. These were all released from the bomas shortly after their arrival. All the rhino settled well and soon began breeding.

More calves were born in the Sanctuary during 1997, although one has since died due to rough 'horning' by the dominant male. After friction developed between the two mature males it was decided to move the younger one out. He was exchanged for a young female from Kruger National Park in March 1998. While she was acclimatising in the bomas the dominant male became interested in her. He cornered her in the boma and killed her.

1999 saw five more rhinos at the Sanctuary. Three rhinos were translocated from Pilanesburg by the North West Parks Board in July. At the same time a male was translocated from the Sanctuary to Jwaneng in southern Botswana. Two babies were born here during the year.

Two babies were born at the Sanctuary during 2000 (March and August) and two so far in 2001 (February and April), which brings the total number of white rhino in the Sanctuary to 18.

Confidence in the Trust and its achievements has been expressed by the Southern Africa Rhino Specialist Group who are keen to establish Khama Rhino Sanctuary as a breeding centre for the re-population of white rhino in Botswana. In addition, Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks has also re-affirmed its commitment to re-introducing black rhino into the country and using the Khama Rhino Sanctuary for this purpose. The Ngwato Land Board recently allocated the Trust another piece of land (5000 hectares), of which the suitability for the reintroduction of black rhino is currently being assessed.

The Sanctuary is home to other wildlife which have settled naturally or been translocated in: zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, eland, springbok, impala, gemsbok, kudu, steenbok, duiker, red hartebeest, leopard, ostrich, African wild cat, caracal, small spotted genet, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, brown hyena. Over 230 bird species have also been identified here including Abdim's stork and bearded woodpecker.

To date, 14 white rhino have been translocated into the Sanctuary. The first four arrived in February 1993, from northern Botswana. They were kept in very large bomas, built by local volunteers, until the 28km electric perimeter fence was completed in June 1995 when they were released to roam free within the Sanctuary. All the rhino settled well and soon began breeding. With further translocations, some sad deaths, and many happy births (the most recent addition being born in April 2001) the total number of white rhino at the Sanctuary is currently 18.

Confidence in the Trust and its achievements mean that the Sanctuary continues to be recognised as a breeding centre for the re-population of white rhino in Botswana, as well as a home for the eventual re-introduction of black rhino into this country.

In addition to protection of the wildlife, we offer many other facilities as detailed overleaf, and are continually working to meet our objectives. Current projects include pumping water around the Sanctuary from two boreholes, construction of an Education Centre and expansion of our Environmental Education facilities, and the development of a research centre.

As a community trust we are reliant on donor funding. In the past these have come from government, private business, other non-governmental organisations and members of the public, both from Botswana and abroad.

Thanks to such generous contributions, we are able to continue our work towards preserving Botswana's unique wildlife heritage.

THE Zoo in Giza is one of the most beautiful in the world and the most densely inhabited by the various animal and plant species. Its area is about 85 feddans. It is located near the west bank of the Nile. Its northern tip overlooks Cairo University. It is not far from down town Cairo and is linked to it by numerous buses. The Zoo is under the supervision of Mr. Moustafa Awad Moustafa, who is Undersecretary for the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Land Reclamation Office, as well as General Supervisor of Egypt’s Zoological Gardens.

There are now several activities, suitable for all ages. The children have specialized activities; the academic have activities, the youth have activities, and students have their niche, especially researchers and scientists. It’s a haven also for music lovers, painters and artists. All these activities are accumulated in one place; the Giza Zoo.

There is a children’s playground beside the Children’s Cinema Theatre, donated by the First Lady Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, and the Children’s Library, for 4 to 8-years-old, consisting of computers specifically for animal, environment and nature education, with electronic books that give sounds of various animals at the touch of a button, as well as displays their images in the books. This Children’s Library was inaugurated in 1997. This building complex consists of two floors; the ground floor for the Library, and the upper floor used as a conference room for symposiums of environment preservation.

The old Library, which existed since the opening of the Zoo, was not very noticeable to the public. Awad relocated it in order to be more conspicuous. It has a variety of research papers, books and documents, concerning nature, biology, zoology, and environmental issues. The conference hall is still active, but in 1996 and 1997, the Hall has held the major symposiums, after its inauguration. This conference hall can house 200 visitors, and is equipped with all the modern facilities needed for presentations and lectures.

The Giza Zoo was a legacy from Khedive Ismail. Originally, it occupied 50.4 feddans, once part of the Harem Gardens, or "gardens of delight" as it was once called. Whether it was in his quest to green Cairo or to awe his beautiful Caucasian concubines, Khedive Ismail imported into Egypt one of the finest collection of flowers, exotic plants and trees from India, Central Africa and South America. A survivor is the zoo's giant banyan planted around 1871. As for the collection of animals that came to form the backbone of the zoo, this was laid on the foundation of Ismail's private menagerie.

Khedive Ismail (1863-1879), the ruler of Egypt, was the first to think of opening the Zoo on the occasion of the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869, but could not do so for the lack of sufficient time. However, on March 1,1891, the Giza Zoo was opened to the public. It is distinguished for its rare plants, the extraordinary footpaths worked in pebbles looking like sugarcoated almonds set in beautiful Arabesque and Roman mosaic, and its streams, lakes, bridges, and hilly habitats for the various animals that it houses. These hilly areas are planted with cactus trees and the rare cactus fruit.

Giant ferns adorn the Harem Garden. The Garden is ornamented with several grottoes while on its every knoll stands a lookout kiosk. There are miniature winding canals studded with a fine collection of water plants under which swam the Khedive's salmon trout. Joining two towering artificial hills is the beautiful light suspension pedestrian bridge built by Gustave Alexandre Eiffel and brought to Cairo when Khedive Ismail visited the Paris Exhibition. Other wonders of the Harem Garden include roads paved with black stone flags imported from Trieste, and an idyllic pond with a marble island in its center, which later became the zoo's Tea Island.

The responsibility of laying out the Zoo between 1891-1901 was given to a Mr. A.R. Birdwood (no pun intended!). By 1900 the annual cost of the Zoo had reached L.E. 1,600 of which L.E. 1,000 was a grant from the government and the remainder derived from private donations. Captain Stanley S. Flower, who was responsible for the animals, was appointed the zoological garden's first Director; a post that he occupied until 1924. Each year, in concurrence with the zoo's prestigious board of trustees, Flower submitted to the government his celebrated 'state of the Zoo report.' The report was reproduced in the local papers to be scrutinized by nature lovers and wildlife supporters forever eager to learn what new plant or animal had been imported. By the end of World War II, the Giza Zoo comprised 4,700 exhibits including 3,500 birds, 700 mammals and 500 reptiles - a far cry from Khedive Ismail's original menagerie of 78 vertebrate and 180 feathered creatures.

The Giza Zoo encloses five hilly areas; the greatest called the Citadel Hill, which was constructed in 1867. It is decorated with various statues of the extinct Fayoum rhinoceros, crocodiles and strange birds. Today the Zoo has around 400 species; mainly from the Nile Valley - and the only place you can see the "Holy Ibis" in Egypt.

The Zoo’s plateau is covered with a small park that could be reached by means of a spiral path. It comprises plant-covered walks, a number of streams, a hall in its center as a resting place and various statues of birds and reptiles made of cement and pebbles. The streams flow through caves with white coral reefs hanging down into waterfalls that lead to a lake with two islands connected with a wooden bridge. The Zoo is considered a huge exhibition of African wildlife. It is a habitat for many species of animals and birds, which are now extinct in Egypt. Among these are mountain goats and rams, Egyptian gazelles and heron.

Gradually, the zoo's ‘inmates’ increased with a tiny percentage entering this world from within the zoo itself such as the two Kudus born in 1907 making them the first ever to be bred in captivity. As new animals arrived - some to stay, others in transit on their way to other zoos - old inmates died of natural causes, epidemics or unusual heat wave apoplexies. The bulk of the animals however, continued to be imported from different parts of Africa and Asia. Egypt's moderate climate helps preserve the lives of animals from different regions without the use of air-conditioning for cooling or warming.

In addition to the numerous animals in the garden, there is a museum, which was built in 1906. It consists of three big halls exhibiting large groups of Egyptian and foreign embalmed birds, reptiles, fish and animals as well as skeletons. There are also two other halls exhibiting various kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. An embalming factory is located behind the museum for such purposes.

The Zoo is also an institute where scientists study the behavior of animals and birds. There are five non-governmental organizations that carry out campaigns to encourage people to preserve wildlife and promote environment awareness in Egypt.

The Zoo smells clean! Five years ago, we could smell the stench beyond the gates and onto the next block. Thanks to Mr. Moustafa Awad Moustafa, the hidden zoo garbage dump, which used to face the Main Gate, was completely cleaned up, and replaced instead with green lawn and beautiful white flamencos.

El-Fayoum

The location of this very small zoo is in the area called Biet-Ghiorgis on the road towards Massawa. It can be reached by public bus (number 1). Entrance fee to the zoo grounds is two Nakfa (/home/free/cgi-bin/util/sitebuilder.15).

A lion, ostriches, hyenas, snakes, baboons and
several birds of pray make up the zoo's residents.

Dense forest. Access by very poor roads from Bunia or Isiro. Basic accommodation available. Open all year round. Originally named the 'Station de Capture d'Epulu', it was established to capture and export to zoos around the world the okapi, a forest dwelling relative of the giraffe only discovered early this century

Lewa was once a cattle ranch; it then became a heavily guarded black rhino sanctuary, and it is now the headquarters for a non-profit wildlife conservancy, which has gained a world-wide reputation for extending the benefits of conservation beyond its borders.

The Craig/Douglas family first came to Lewa Downs in 1922, and managed it as a cattle ranch for over 50 years. Unlike many other ranchers in the area, they had always valued the wildlife that shared the land with the cattle, and developed wildlife tourism as an additional activity.

By the early 1980s it was uncertain whether any black rhinos would survive in Kenya. Poaching for horn had reduced Kenya's rhinos from some 20,000 in the mid-1970s to a few hundred by 1986. It was clear that the only way to prevent their complete extinction was to create high-security sanctuaries In 1983 the Craigs and Mrs. Anna Merz - who funded the programme - decided to establish the fenced and guarded Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary at the western end of Lewa Downs. The rhino sanctuary was stocked partly with animals from other reserves and partly from isolated individuals from northern Kenya, whose likely survival in the wild was a matter of months at most. The black rhino that were caught settled down and bred, and white rhino were added. After ten years, it was clear that the rhinos needed more space, and the sanctuary was expanded to cover the rest of the ranch, and the adjoining Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve .

The perimeter was almost entirely fenced, for security and to ensure that elephants did not raid crops in neighbouring farms, but the ecological connections between Lewa and neighbouring wildlife areas were maintained by leaving gaps in the fence for animal movements. At the same time the entire property was converted to a wildlife sanctuary, as the Craig family handed over the management of the ranch to a non-profit organisation - the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy .

Kinanjui Lesenteria Kinanjui Lesenteria was the Head of Security at LWC at its inception in 1995 but he has worked for the Craigs since 1966. His first job was to protect domestic and wild animals from poachers. Later, when Ian Craig left school, Kinanjui was given the responsibility of teaching him about hunting and wildlife. In the ten years that the two spent out together in the bush an enduring friendship developed. A born hunter, Kinanjui had an unparalleled knowledge, respect and understanding of wildlife. So, when hunting was banned in 1977, there was nobody better equipped to protect and care for the rhino and other endangered species at Lewa. In 1997 Kinanjui, an Ndorobo Maasai, persuaded the Ndrorobo Maasai communities of Il Ngwesi and Namunyak of Ian’s integrity and to accept his help in building a lodge as a tourist attraction. Kinanjui retired in 2001, but he is still visiting Lewa on a regular basis.

The Nairobi snake park is not a snake park per se, in the actual sense it is a reptile park as it displays the representatives from all the members of the reptile group. Put up thirty or so years ago, the park has been and still is a constant visitor attraction center. In fact a visit to the museum is never complete without making a visit to the snake park.

Ivoloina is a 400-hectare forestry station on the east coast of Madagascar near the city of Tamatave. Parc Zoologique d'Ivoloina (Parc Ivoloina or PZI) is a small zoo which occupies about 4 hectares of the station. In 1986, PZI was closed after nearly all the caging and other infrastructure was destroyed by a major cyclone. The MFG's involvement with Ivoloina began in 1987 when, along with Duke University Primate Center, they sent a husband and wife team of technical advisors to Ivoloina: Andrea Katz and Charlie Welch. Andrea and Charlie began working on staff training and rehabilitation and development of the grounds, animal enclosures, and facilities. Three years later, in 1990, PZI was inaugurated and reopened to the public. The zoo receives approximately 14,000 visitors a year of which about 70% are Malagasy nationals. Their objectives at Ivoloina are to stimulate regional awareness and enthusiasm for conservation and to expand in-country captive breeding efforts for lemurs and other endangered Malagasy fauna. Working closely with the Ivoloina staff, Andrea and Charlie developed a master plan for a regional conservation center and zoo with programs for the captive breeding of endangered species native to the eastern rainforest region; conservation education for zoo visitors, local teachers, and schoolchildren; training of Malagasy staff in zoo animal husbandry and management; and research to lead to sound reintroduction and restocking projects for captive-bred and confiscated lemurs. With the building of a new Education Center and other support from MFG members, Ivoloina has become a nationally recognized center for environmental education. The Education Center has developed conservation education programs to benefit both teachers and schoolchildren. In such programs, teachers learn how to incorporate the environment and conservation into their lessons.

In 1993 the population of Angonoka was estimated to be between 100 and 400. To save these unique tortoises, Projet Angonoka was established in 1986 by the Malagasy Department of Waters and Forests and the Wildlife Preservation Trust. Projet Angonoka includes research, captive breeding, and the participation of the local communities. The project has been a very successful, and more than 150 baby tortoises have been born at the breeding center. The adult tortoises used in the breeding program were illegal pets that were confiscated by the government. Eventually, some of the captive born tortoises will be returned to the wild

It all started...

in 1978 when Nick and Marieta van der Merwe saved a maltreated vervet monkey from its owner for 5 Rand (0.6 Euro) and a piece of bread. This ape was the beginning of a long line of animals that found refuge on their farm Harnas. To cover the ever- increasing costs for food, new enclosures and medical treatment, which the family had financed until then, through profits from their cattle, Harnas opened its doors to visitors.

It was the beginning of a dream in utilising tourism to provide a sustainable income for all the role players, which include the bushman tribe living on Harnas. This dream eventually led to the shared vision amongst the Van der Merwe family of forming a company for the purpose of managing the business side of Harnas. This vision became reality when Harnas Lifeline Pty Ltd was incorporated in 2003.

The Harnas management team recognises that nature and wildlife-conservation will not succeed unless they proceed along inclusive lines, with concrete benefits to surrounding communities and other stakeholders in the conservation region. As such, many of the leading camps and lodges in Southern Africa have voluntarily established community empowerment programs aimed at sharing the returns from environmentally responsible tourism with the people bordering wilderness areas.

That is precisely what Harnas management wants to achieve, establishing a game reserve for the orphaned animals from which the surrounding communities can also benefit.

Present

Due to financial limitations the orphaned animals are kept in large enclosures and the vision of Eco-tourism can only be realised if the necessary funds are obtained to transform the cattle ranch into a nature reserve where the orphaned animals can be released. The Van der Merwe family believes that this development will not only free the orphaned wild animals physically but also financially because a sustainable income can be generated from low impact tourism.

The other problem that needs attention is the Bushman people living on the Harnas farm and the surrounding areas. These people are desperately in need of health care facilities. For Eco-tourism to succeed the needs of all the local tribes living in the surrounding areas need to be addressed. Providing basic health care was identified as one of needs that Harnas can help the local tribes with. All of the above ideas need to be financed and management identified five major projects that need be implemented before the Harnas dream can become reality.

Future

Our vision is to become a leader in the Eco-tourism market in Southern Africa by establishing a role model conservation area by utilising the best of business and conservation practices, to the benefit of the Harnas animals, Eco-tourists, donators and our shareholders.

The overall result of what the vision wants to achieve is for the Eco-tourist and the donors to have the wonderful opportunity of experiencing unspoiled African wilderness and authentic African culture, in the knowledge that they are contributing to both the conservation and development in rural area like Gobabis.

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary was established in 1958 and offers visitors a good opportunity to see some of the more common birds up close. The sanctuary is situated in Muckleneuk, and is a great place for a Sunday afternoon family outing or a short tranquil walk. Around 170 species have been recorded and birders will see around 40 species in a short morning visit. The main attraction is the dam where an excellent hide is situated. There are also woodland patches and exotic trees in the sanctuary. The Blue Crane restaurant and adjacent trim and recreational park offers further attraction.

Please note that the sanctuary area has a perimeter fence and one must view the birds from outside this fence. Some birders have been disappointed by the lack of access and limited birding opportunities.

The Port Elizabeth Museum is the Third Oldest museum in South Africa oldest a Town Hall, municipal offices, library and Athenaeum were granted. A small room was set aside for the collection of unusual natural history specimens â€“small beginnings!

In 1885 the Museum acquired new premises in a room behind the Feathermarket Hall, but it was only in 1897 that the institution became known as the Port Elizabeth Museum Mr Marshall was the first Curator.

In 1906 the somewhat badly run Museum received a welcome boost with the appointment of the dynamic FW Fitzsimons as Director. He re-organised and re-arranged the Museum and soon had 7000 residents of sleepy Port Elizabeth attending his “Popular Nights” where the Museum offered exhibitions of live snakes and magic lantern shows.

In 1919 the Museum moved to the luxurious mansion of AW Guthrie in Bird Street . The Snake Park opened in the grounds and was the first of its type worldwide. Johannes, the snake handler, was bitten on average once a year for the 30 years he was on the staff. He eventually died of old age!

In 1933 the Seal Pool opened (the forerunner of the Oceanarium). The seals guttural bickering and barking at night intruded on the lifestyle of Bird Street 's elite residents and following a court case the seals were banished.

During World War II under the Directorship of Dr John Pringle, serum from snakes were supplied to the South African Institute for Medical Research for the Allied Forces serving in snake-infested parts of Africa.

In 1942 the Museum School was established bringing education to many. The Royal visit of King George VI and his family to the Museum and Snake Park was a highlight of 1947.

The foundation stone of the present Museum was laid on 11 November 1958 . The new Snake Park was constructed and opened a year later. Dr Geoff McLachlan was Director.

In 1968, the historic house museum in Central, No 7 Castle Hill, was incorporated into the Museum Complex when Dr John Grindley was Director. The Dolphin Lake was opened on 12 December 1968 and Dimple produced a dolphin calf that very morning. “Dolly” was christened after a nationwide competition to select a name. She is now the oldest surviving dolphin conceived and born in an Oceanarium anywhere in the world.

During Dr John Wallace's period as Director the education sector of the Museum expanded rapidly with new classrooms and other facilities being built. The Museum shop came into being and the Snake Park acquired a modern entrance. A Children's Touch Museum was established in the Old Post Office across the road. The Maritime History Hall was completed and won acclaim as the best of its type in South Africa.

Research in sharks, marine mammals, maritime archaeology, local history and herpetology progressed apace during Dr Mike Raath's term as Director. Computers were introduced on a wide scale.

Mrs Sylvia van Zyl became Director in 1995. The courtyard and amphitheatre were built as part of an RDP project. The museum staff has been transformed to be more representative of the population dynamics. The Costume Hall exhibits this diversity and has proved popular with the public.

The Oceanarium in its present form was constructed over a period of 10 years, the first phase of which was the 900 000 litre main fish tank which was built in 1959. After housing dolphins for a number of years, the pool was re-established as a fish tank in 1968 when the new dolphin lake was completed and is now home to a wide variety of large fish, sharks and turtles.

Alongside it is the smaller tropical tank where a variety of tropical fish and sea turtles found alongside the East coast are displayed.

The large dolphin lake is undoubtedly the focal point of the Oceanarium. 60m long, 45m at its widest point and up to 4,5m deep, it contains 4, 75 million litres of filtered seawater and is still one of the largest dolphin lakes in the world. Two Indian Ocean Bottlenose dolphins, Domino and Dumisa, delight visitors to the Oceanarium on a daily basis. The past 47 years have seen a tremendous growth in knowledge of bottlenose dolphins on an international scale. The knowledge gained by scientists and the curators at Bayworld through their experience with the dolphins forms a significant part of this growth. Although many people are opposed to keeping dolphins in oceanaria, the role of these ambassadors of the ocean in shaping public awareness and attitudes cannot be ignored.

A large seal pool enclosure houses a small colony of Cape fur seals, as well as Sub Antarctic seals. Penguins and other sea birds are on display in a landscaped area including a swimming hole and waterfall. Several penguin pairs breed successfully each year.

In 1977 the Cango Crocodile Farm was born as South Africa’s first crocodile show farm. The farm was, as the name suggests, a place where crocodiles were bred to be sold. In 1986 a dream was born when Andrew and Glen Eriksen purchased the Cango Crocodile Farm.

Andrew and Glenn wanted to do more for conservation and decided to get actively involved with the plight of the endangered cheetah. Today, while the ranch continues to house a large crocodilian population, it has turned its attention to the plight of endangered species and in line with this, the decision was made to expand an include a number of big cats. With the initial emphasis being on the highly endangered Cheetah, the Cango Wildlife Ranch is today home to more than 47 species of animals and reptiles.

We believe in conservation and we know that extinction is forever. Running the race against extinction is not an easy one. The work done at the ranch by our dedicated staff takes on a whole new meaning when you realize that the people involved in saving animals and educating the general public, will never see the result of their work in their lifetime. Never the less, we will keep on doing our best to ensure that extinction becomes just another word in the dictionary and not a reality. We have seen man do terrible things but we also know that man is capable of great things and it is towards greatness that we at the Cango Wildlife Ranch strive.

The De Wildt Cheetah Centre was established in 1971 with the aim of breeding endangered species. Over the past two decades the Centre's efforts have resulted in the major achievement of breeding what was once a threatened species, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Over the years, nearly 600 cheetah cubs have been born at De Wildt - a dramatic contrast to the days when the cheetah population of South Africa was estimated at a mere 700.

While the cheetah project was the base from which the Centre launched its conservation ethic, it soon widened to include other rare and endangered animal species such as wild dog, brown hyaena, serval, suni antelope, blue and red duiker, bontebok, riverine rabbit and vultures - including the very rare Egyptian vulture. Many of these have been successfully bred for later reintroduction into the wild, thus helping to repopulate areas where such species have disappeared or are no longer abundant.

The Queenspark area was officially opened in 1896 by Queen Victoria. At that stage it was just a botanic park. During the 1930's some animals were housed at the park and the zoo started. At this time the road to the city centre ran through the park.

The lion enclosure was officially opened in 1959. It is currently being used to house the chimpanzees.

Reptile lovers should definitely not miss this superb place. There is a huge variety of snakes from all over the world - there are some that you wouldn't even find at the National Zoological Gardens. The range of other animals on show is rather limited but it is a place that is still well worth a visit. Entrance fee ranges from R15.

In 1950 Lente Roodes’ father, Willie SchÃ¼rmann, bought a 2000-hectare farm in the Hoedspruit district in the Northern Province of South Africa which, today, forms part of the Kapama Private Game Reserve. Kapama Private Game Reserve is situated adjacent to the Kruger National Park in South Africa and consists of an area of 13 000 hectares where the big five roam freely.

Throughout her childhood, Lente visited the family farm regularly during weekends and school holidays. It was on this farm where her sincere love for this part of South Africa, the bushveld and especially wild animals started and have grown into a life long passion for the conservation of all animal species.
Lente’s father generated the farm’s income through sheep and cattle farming where lions, leopards and cheetahs were seen as a threat to livestock farmers and were shot on sight. As a child at the age of six, Lente was given an orphaned cheetah cub, after a neighboring farmer shot the mother. They called her “Sebeka” and she soon became part of the SchÃ¼rmann household, with Lente spending as much time as possible with her tame cheetah. After completing her studies in education, Lente married Johann Roode in 1970.

During 1985, Johann and Lente bought their first farm on the border of her family farm in Hoedspruit. It was at this stage that she decided to try and procure a few cheetahs to keep near the farm house. Lente contacted Des Varaday, a well-known cheetah breeder whose facility was located near Middelburg in Mpumalanga Province. Lente knew Des from her childhood and he used their cheetah, Sebeka, in his book called “Gara Yaka” along with other detailed illustrations.

Much to her surprise, Des asked her whether she would not be interested in taking over all thirty-five of his cheetahs. He reasoned that he was getting too old to look after them, and that he knew Lente would provide a secure and healthy future for his animals, Lente agreed, and with the help and guidance of Prof. David Meltzer of the Onderstepoort Faculty of Veterinary Science and Des himself, they planned and built the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project within a year. It took a year for the animals to settle down properly in their new environment before opening its doors to the public in 1990. Tourism, together with sales from the curio shop, helped to generate some of the income needed to run the Project on a day to day basis.

The project was initially established solely as a breeding centre for cheetahs, but the need for a breeding and research centre for other endangered species was soon realized. This led to the expansion of the Project in order to provide facilities to accommodate several other endangered species hence the new name â€“ the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

The Centre is a non-profitable organization ploughing all funds back into nature conservation in order to help ensure the continued survival of all endangered animal species. Today the Centre has established itself as one of the leaders in the breeding and research of endangered species. Besides this, the Centre, also provides a safe haven for orphaned and sick animals and also offers an education Centre, where the public can learn about endangered species by observing them at close range.

Visit the website at: www.wildlifecentre.co.za .

In 1904 200 acres of land was signed over to the people of Johannesburg. Originally known as "The Herman Eckstein Park", today it comprises of Zoo Lake and Johannesburg Zoo.

There was already a small animal collection on the site. This comprised of 1 male lion, 1 male baboon, 1 female leopard, 1 pair of Rhesus Macaques, 2 male Sable antelope, 1 Golden Eagle, 1 genet, 2 porcupines and 1 female giraffe.

The first real enclosure to be built was for two young lions. At this point only the lions and leopard were on show to the public.

Between 1913 and 1916 a stone Elephant and Rhino house was built. In later years a Hippo house and pool were added on and in 1937 an elephant bathing pool was added. In this time period an Asian elephant and a Bactrian camel were purchased and used for rides.

Various animals including donkeys, llamas and zebra were used for rides until the 1960's.

By 1949 the animal collection had started to dwindle. As a result a master plan was drawn up and put into practice in the 60's to halt the decline.

The Lion Park near Lanseria Airport north of Johannesburg in Gauteng Province serves as a gateway and introduction, a true window, to the splendors of Africa’s Wildlife. It is home to more than 70 lions including white lions and many other carnivores such as cheetahs, wild dogs, brown and spotted hyenas, black leopards and many more.

Apart from the larger carnivores a variety of plains game species roam freely in the Lion Park's antelope area.

The Lion Park was first established in November 1966 by the world-famous Chipper Fields Circus and has been operating ever since. The 208 hectare park came under new management in 1999 and has since embarked on enhancing the predator experience, striving to constantly improve facilities, activities and services to ensure our visitors leave the park with a memorable experience.

The Lion Park is constantly involved in new ventures and scientific research projects. One of these projects involves our long-term relationship with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). This project has enabled us to test all our lions for the possibility Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), bovine tuberculosis and various other diseases. All of our lions have been micro-chipped by the EWT to ensure reliable identification.

Much of the history of SanWild focuses around one person - Louise Joubert. Louise is South African and grew up in Namaqualand. In 1989, she was based in Cape Town and was successful in her chosen career in advertising and marketing. That same year, the Rhino & Elephant Foundation launched a fundraising campaign for black rhinos under the name of Project Rhino.

The campaign received considerable media coverage and it caught the imagination and attention of Louise. She contacted the Rhino & Elephant Foundation and suggested that they run a telethon to raise funds. This was an entirely new concept in fundraising at the time, but Louise’s initiative and dedication resulted in National Rhino Pledge Day on 29 October 1989. The telethon, which was televised throughout the day, raised R1, 78 million and much of the funding was used to buy land to extend the Addo Elephant National Park, which has a significant population of black rhino. Funds were also used to purchase much needed anti-poaching equipment and translocate black rhino from danger zones.

Louise's brush with wildlife conservation and its personalities throughout the run-up to Pledge Day changed her life. She decided to leave Cape Town and her career behind and went to live in the Limpopo Province in order to work with wild animals. However, she inadvertently found herself involved in a component of a then fledgling wildlife industry - game capture.

Over the ten years that followed, Louise saw many things that did not sit well with her, but the game and wildlife trade industry has a persuasive way of justifying its activities and as Louise herself says, 'if you silence your conscience for long enough, it stops speaking to you.

It was especially the young unweaned animals’ suffering that prompted her into action and she began taking in orphaned and injured animals for hand raising - particularly plains game species such as zebra, kudu and blue wildebeest. This one on one close contact with young wild animals and the success of her efforts to rehabilitate them to become independent, free-ranging wild animals - exactly as they should be - awoke her silenced conscience. She became increasingly empathic to the animals caught up in South Africa’s wildlife industry and is an outspoken critic of the industry’s unethical and inhumane operators. In recent years she has been actively involved in reporting on and exposing many such incidents and is working in conjunction with the media and animal welfare organizations to change the status quo in South Africa. The Baixinha Rescue Fund was launched in 2003 to raise funding to assist the Trust with their wildlife crime investigations. Fund raising for the special fund is ongoing.

In the meantime, the 21-hectare property on which Louise was hand raising and treating injured, traumatized and orphaned animals was clearly becoming too small to accommodate the increasing number of wild animals, which by now had diversified to include a wide range of species.

On the 30th November 1998 Louise and her husband Andre purchased a 1014 hectares property that was used for cattle and hunting in the Lowveldt region of South Africa. The old cattle fences were removed and the wild animals on the 21-hectare property were moved to the new, larger property in September 2000. The SanWild Wildlife Trust was formed to ensure protection for the sanctuary and the rehabilitated animals so that they did not inadvertently find themselves back in the very industry and trade from which they were rescued.

Although the new property - the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary - could accommodate many more wild animals, it was acknowledged that it was too small to be viable in the long term and efforts to increase the size of the sanctuary continued.

Despite many failed efforts perseverance finally paid off and on the 1st July 2002 an adjoining 1016 hectares was purchased with a donation received from France.

Bulldozers moved in and soon old cattle fences were removed and the work to fence in the new land started to allow the fences between the two farms to be taken down. Full environmental impact studies were done in order to assist SanWild’s management team to address the bush encroachment and soil erosion as a result of previous overgrazing with cattle. The efforts to restore the land to its original state are progressing well.

Further opportunities to increase the sanctuary's size presently exist as some of the adjoining land has become available and the reserve has the potential to be increased to at least 10 000 hectares if a suitable investment partner can be found. The Trust is eager to open negotiations with a suitable partner to expand the tourism potential of the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary as soon as possible.

In 1947, the Natal Society for the Preservation of Wildlife co-ordinated a scientific expedition to Tongaland, that pristine coastal region just south of the Mozambique border. South Africa was in a phase of post-war depression and people were anxious to identify and utilise opportunities for food security and creating wealth. Food from the sea provided such opportunities and numerous fisheries were established throughout the country. The expedition members, impressed by the diversity of the marine creatures on the Tongaland coast, and struck by the complexity of their fragile and unresearched ecosystems, recognized the need for more knowledge.

One night, around a campfire, they resolved to establish a marine biological station in Natal. The idea was nurtured by a small group of enthusiasts which included Dr George Campbell, Prof. Bush, Mr Ian Garland and Mr Len Chiazzari. In 1949, Dr Campbell announced that a committee investigating the feasibility of establishing a marine biological station in Natal had expressed their intention of working towards the building of a public aquarium, the profits of which would be dedicated to marine research.

On January 30, 1951 the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) was founded, following a great deal of work by conservationists, academics and fishers. The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) was established in 1958 and in June 1959 the Durban Centenary Aquarium was officially opened. Today SAAMBR, which incorporates the OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ORI), SEA WORLD AT USHAKA MARINE WORLD and the NPC SEA WORLD EDUCATION CENTRE, plays a leading role in ensuring the wise utilisation and conservation of our precious marine resources.

Visit the website at: www.saambr.org.za .

TWT had its origin in 1986 when Sir John and Dame Marie Sherry decided to buy a property on the Klip River about 45 minutes drive south of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

They soon decided to put up an aviary in the garden with various softbills and other birds. Soon they had a pair of Mandarins and Carolina Wood Ducks for the pond.

A year later the Carolinas had ducklings and the Sherry's were hooked! From this time on, the small-holding of 30 acres was slowly transformed into a waterfowl paradise with fresh running water cascading from the highest point â€“ 600 meters from the river â€“ all the way back down to the river.

Small ponds and pens are concentrated near the house and are for the more sensitive, delicate species. The larger ponds, which are less wooded, are for the geese, swans and larger ducks. These open ponds are also favoured by the hundreds of wild, indigenous duck, which come and go, utilizing the food, nesting facilities and security that Treehaven offers.

Treehaven has grown from 2 species to 140 different species of ducks, geese and swans. It houses of course all 16 indigenous Southern African species, all of which breed successfully every year. A total of 113 species have been bred successfully, one of the most recent being the Trumpeter Swan. This was very exciting, as it is only the second time they have been bred in South Africa. There are also 70 species of wild water birds, which frequent the wetlands regularly such as: herons, ibises and kingfishers.

The climate at TWT is perfect for all species of waterfowl. The summers, although hot, are not too hot for the Arctic species. Oldsquaws, Harlequins, Scoters and Eiders are all kept successfully. The winters are cold (-10ÂºC in the morning is not uncommon) but dry and still bearable for the tropical species such as the Hawaiian Geese and whistling ducks. Day length does pose a problem for the far northern species causing irregularities during the moult. However, this is overcome by placing them in the TLC (Tender Loving Care) camp which consists of only wire and water, and is protected from rain. Their broken feathers are plucked and their feeding is monitored closely. After 6-8 weeks they are ready for release onto the pond. Day length problems are reduced slightly by lengthening the summer days by means of large spotlights.

What started as a hobby has become a passion and desire to collect, breed and research all of the waterfowl species of the world. Treehaven also has the aim to create public awareness of waterfowl, the delicate habitats that they live in and how to preserve them. To this end they have just opened the Riviera Wetlands, 6kms from TWT, which is open to the public 5 days a week. Pre â€“ booked tours are also offered at TWT for the more discerning birders.

Facilities at Treehaven include a fully equipped incubation room where Grumbach incubators are used to hatch most of the smaller species of waterfowl eggs. Geese and swans are generally left to incubate their own eggs.

Once dried off the ducklings are moved to the brooder room to be hand-reared. There are cages for dry-rearing and tanks for wet-rearing. A tiny camera monitors delicate ducklings via CCTV to ensure that they are eating and to learn more about them.

A government approved quarantine station is also situated on the property for newly imported birds. It is monitored closely by the Department of Agriculture and of course the quarantine period serves to get the birds in good condition after the trauma of travelling. Again a CCTV system monitors the new arrivals’ feeding, aggression and other behaviour. The TWT Aviclinic is fully equipped to handle any bird casualties.

TWT is also a member of Aviornis UK and closed rings are put on all offspring with their registered rings.

Many Capetonians long cherished the desire for a truly world-class aquarium in the Mother City. It is remarkable that it took so long for this dream to become a reality, after all, Cape Town is the original link between the land and the sea for all of Southern Africa. It is also here that the cold water of the Atlantic meets the warmer Indian Ocean. Few places in the world are in a more favourable position to feature the flora and fauna of oceans so different in temperature and the life they support.

The construction and outstanding success of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront was the catalyst in reawakening this dream of an Aquarium. Many waterfront developments around the world have incorporated aquariums as they contribute to sustaining visitation to these areas. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Company recognised this role and in 1989 allocated a site of 5000 square metres the Waterfront for the development of the The Oceans Aquarium.

Five years later, after a mammoth funding initiative, the project was given the go-ahead. The R35 million Two Oceans Aquarium is operated by the Two Oceans Aquarium Trust. The investors in the Trust comprise a joint venture between the Transnet Pension Fund (68%) and Investec (32%). The development is situated on land leased to the Trust by the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (Pty) Ltd.

Dr. Patrick Garratt has recently been appointed as the Aquarium's Managing Director and Michael Farquhar has taken over from Dr. Garratt as Curator.

The Site
The Aquarium is located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The east side of the building is adjacent to the Robinson Dry Dock, the oldest operating dock of its kind in the world. This side is the main visitor approach to the building. The three-storey services and administration block forms the north side which faces busy Dock Road and bus stop area. The introverted nature of the aquarium facility has created a facade which will allow further development immediately adjacent to its self. This facade has been designed to provide a public face until development removes it from view. The south aspect faces onto the yacht marina and Table Mountain. Large glass fronted areas of the restaurant, seal pool and river catchment exhibit open up to this aspect.

The Building
The building has been designed to respond to its urban context within the V&A Waterfront, maintaining the existing character of many of the surrounding Victorian buildings. The building is primarily a new construction, although it incorporates the Millwright Building, a national monument.

The largest bird park in Africa! Over 3,000 birds, monkeys and small animals of 400 different species in 100 spacious, tropically landscaped walk-through aviaries. Get up close and personal with inquisitive squirrel monkeys & birds, living as they would in the wild but without fear. Every visit is an absolutely unique and unforgettable experience in a different world...World of Birds, your close-up nature experience in Cape Town!

constructing the park premises in 1993. "The first thing we had to do was plant tress", says Lynn.

Today the park is green and although you can still smell the dust, it is a pleasant escape from it's desert like surroundings.

The park is "home" to a variety of snakes common in Eastern and Southern Africa, from the Black Mamba to the black and red spitting cobras and the African Python. Other reptiles include monitor lizards. chameleons and crocodiles. There are also a few species of birds that are orphaned or injured for whom a temporary home is provided at the park.

Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary was established in 1959 by Dr. Andreas Von Nagy.

The Lodge was conceived to provide superior accommodation to discerning animal lovers visiting Tanzania.

The Sanctuary was conceived to provide refuge to orphaned, injured and displaced animals and to prepare them for their return to the wild.

The Lodge & Sanctuary combine to offer a unique experience to all visitors looking to stay in Arusha.

There is a small zoo on Zanzibar called ZALA Park, which specialises in reptiles. It is run buy a local man who, with very little outside help or training has put together a small, but highly commendable operation. He is know locally as 'the charmer of snakes' and is a genuine enthusiast. He is ticket issuer, guide, vet, barman, specimen catcher, cleaner and anything else that needs to be done. Please support him by going to visit. His enthusiasm alone makes the trip worthwhile.

Zala Park is an animal park, situated about 5 km from Jozani Natural Reserve. It started to operate in 1995 after Muhammed Ayoub Haji, the owner of the park was attacked by a poisonous snake. Mr. Ayoub was motivated to learn all he could on reptiles and

Chimfunshi was founded in 1983 when a game ranger brought a badly wounded infant chimpanzee to the cattle ranch of David and Sheila Siddle, a British couple who had lived in along the Zambian copperbelt since the 1950s. The Siddles nursed that chimp â€“ nicknamed "Pal" â€“ back to health, thereby establishing a tradition of care and respect that forms the legacy of the sanctuary.

Once word of Pal’s recovery spread, the Siddles found themselves inundated with orphaned chimpanzees. Although many are confiscated from poachers who attempt to smuggle the infants into Zambia for sale as pets, an equally large number are rescued from dilapidated zoos and circuses from all over Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

The Siddles bestow love and care upon the traumatized apes and gradually introduce them to the extended family at Chimfunshi. Five social groups inhabit the free-range enclosures that span 1,100 acres at the orphanage, including two 500-acre enclosures, the largest area ever set aside for captive primates.

A third 500-acre enclosure will be opened in late 2003.

The Siddles’ work has won them a steady stream of honors and awards, including the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Award (2000), the Audi / Terra Nova nomination (2001), a special commendation from the Nedbank / mail & Guardian Green Trust Awards (2000), and the Jane Goodall Award (995). In 2001, the Siddles were granted MBEs by Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Ralph Sander, a civil servant in the then Colonial Government of Northern Rhodesia, started Munda Wanga in 1950. He called it 'Munda Wanga' as this means 'My Garden' in Nyanja, a Zambian language. At first his plans were for a private garden, but his enthusiasm got the better of him. His garden grew to a size and quality that people wanted to visit; the income from entrance charges helped to meet the running costs.

Ralph developed the garden not only as a Botanical Garden introducing new species to Zambia but also as a site where young Zambians could display there skills as sculptors, artisans, bricklayers. Even today the Gardens complicated hard landscaping still survives the test of time.

In 1968, with the Gardens finding it difficult to meet its' costs, the Government of Zambia bought them and added a large area of land to develop a collection of animals. With the high price of copper, Munda Wanga developed in the centre of Lusaka life.

With the drop in the copper markets, Munda Wanga entered a new phase in its life. Passed between Government Departments, Munda Wanga suffered. The Gardens became overgrown and neglected. The animals were badly cared for, many of them dying when food supplies dried up. The poor state of Munda Wanga caused an outcry and the Government felt compelled to do something about it

In late 1998, the management of Munda Wanga was given a new lease of life with a private trust taking over the running of this much loved institution.

The main aim of the Trust is to establish a modern Environmental Education and Interpretation Centre, unrivalled in the region, which will use the newly restored Botanical Gardens, Wildlife Park and Sanctuary as a teaching resource.

Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage is a registered Welfare Organisation (38/77) in Zimbabwe which was established by Vivian and Paddy Wilson in 1973. Many wild animals are kept as pets and are indeed appealing and fun to have around, but once adults these loving babies turn into dangerous and aggressive wild animals, it then at this stage that they become a pest. It is here where Chipangali is approached to take over the responsibility of these animals and there by offer a home and once the initial settling down process is complete most animals are integrated into release programs.

El-Fayoum

It all started...

Present

Future

UWEC's Mandated Roles

Mission

Vision

Where do the animals come from?