Bird gardens becomes wildlife saviour

The vision of the gardens is to ‘inspire to conserve’ and they have done this through various conservation campaigns, most notably the Mabula Ground-Hornbill Breeding Programme and the Croc Exchange Programme.

Recently, their application for the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Paaza) accreditation was awarded. This sees Montecasino joining an elite group of seven other institutional Paaza members responsible for the African region within the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Apart from the Bird Gardens’ existing Mabula Ground-Hornbill Conservation Programme, they have a new exciting addition to their conservation initiatives involving a Nile crocodile called Houdini. Chris Cooke, reptile and mammal curator at the gardens explained that Houdini is on loan from Lory Park Zoo in Midrand.

“She originally came to us under the assumption that her growth was stunted and she would not exceed her current length,” Cooke said.

“However we have subsequently discovered that her growth is not stunted. We like to think her unexpected growth could be attributed to her happy and healthy environment at the bird gardens.”

At around one-metre long, Houdini is growing well and is expected to outgrow her current enclosure.

Houdini is the inaugural crocodile in the Montecasino Bird Gardens Croc Exchange Programme. If she were to stay at the gardens permanently, it will necessitate an appropriate enclosure for an adult crocodile to be built for her.

At the end of her stay Houdini will be exchanged for some baby Nile Crocodiles who will also be raised at the bird gardens until they’re big enough to be sent to an establishment equipped to care for bigger crocodiles.

“It is the sad state of affairs that going forward, zoos and aquariums will be possibly the only centres for preservation of endangered wild life species around the globe,” said Deidre Jameson, property manager at Montecasino.

“We take this responsibility very seriously, and hope to be able to continue to do our part by inspiring a new generation of conservationists.”