Climbing victory for servals
JOBURG – Servals at Joburg Zoo will be receiving a newly-improved enclosure after a fundraising initiative.
The two serval cats at Joburg Zoo will receive a climbing structure, courtesy of a raffle held at the Zoo and prize by Rochester furniture store.
The newly-improved structure will be built as a result of cats’ nocturnal nature and their proven preference to elevated surfaces in captivity.
“We would normally build platforms for them in the night rooms and a jungle gym in the exhibit with a hard surface and a soft surface. The material normally used is wooden poles and the hammock is normally made of old fire hose,” said the Zoo’s fundraising manager Ioanna Karamitson.
“The servals benefit from this structure compared to the initial one as it aids the behaviour enrichment of the animals. This comprises of a suite of activities that meets the physiological and psychological needs of an animal in a small space,” Karamitson added.
The raffle ran from 10 November to 19 December last year at the Joburg Zoo, with raffle tickets being sold for R5.
The prize was a stunning recliner chair valued at R7 000 sponsored by Rochester.
“We received a welcoming 675 entries, which raised R3 375 for the new additions to the enclosure.”
Polite Ngubeni walked away as the lucky winner of the recliner.
“We are quite happy with the new development. It gives the animals the choice to move around, up and down, all around the enclosure,” Karamitson concluded.
Details: Joburg Zoo 011 646 2000.
