Join the celebrations as Joburg Zoo turns 115
SAXONWOLD – Check out the host of activities hosted at the Joburg Zoo for their 115th birthday this month.
Joburg Zoo is celebrating its 115th birthday this month and invites the community to join a host of activities for the whole family from 9 to 30 March.
What began as a 200-acre stretch of land in 1904 with an animal collection of no more than 10 species, has grown to boast the Big Five and rare species from the Amazon.
Visitors born in the month of March will be allowed free access to the zoo but must bring along some form of identification as proof.
Visitors are also invited to bring along a treat for their favourite animal or donate unused tools, ropes and animal-friendly toys. All gate takings will go towards the care and feeding of the animals. Corporates are encouraged to #AdoptAnimals with a few opportunities to name new animals at the zoo.
The public can engage with the zoo on social media using the hashtags #FamilyFun and #JoburgZooHeritage.
General entrance to the zoo is R90 for adults and R55 for children, R60 for the Zoo Trot and R170 for Earth Hour.
Planned activities include:
9–10 and 23–24 March: Animal Enrichment Programmes
When: 10am–3pm
Animal enrichment programmes, feeding sessions, a heritage tour and a question and answer session. The day’s activities include interactions with chimpanzees (10am), ground hornbills (11.15am), wild dogs and cheetahs (12 noon), crocodiles (1pm), gorillas (2pm) and elephant (3pm).
Details: Sophia Mtshali on 011 646 2000.
10 March: Zoo Trot
When: Registration from 6.30am and trot begins at 7am
Avid Zoo Trotters and newcomers will be treated to a celebratory morning on the 19th anniversary of the Zoo Trot. A birthday cake will be shared while children can enjoy face painting, jumping castles, mime artists and a variety of other forms of entertainment. Trotters are encouraged to dress in their favourite animal costume for a picnic at the bandstand.
16–17 March: Animal Enrichment and Zoo History
Join the conversation on animal enrichment and a feeding session and discover how the zoo has evolved to become an iconic landmark for conservation heritage.
Details: Bookings can be made through the zoo on 011 646 2000.
20 March: Big Birthday Bash
When: 10am–9pm
Bring along your picnic baskets, camping chairs and blankets for a full day at the zoo. As a celebratory gesture, all visitors will be charged a nominal fee of R15 at the gate for one day only. Activities include face painting, jumping castles, DJs, live entertainment and a mini children’s area. Between 5pm and 9pm, there will be a live DJ and evening picnic and movie screening on the lawns.
22 March: CSI event with staff and senior citizens
When: 10am–1pm
One hundred and fifteen senior citizens, most of whom have never visited the zoo, will be entertained for the day.
30 March: Earth Hour
When: 5pm onwards
Wear glow in the dark costumes and join the fun to increase awareness about the importance of conservation.
Also check out:
Joburg Zoo helps save the endangered Pickersgill’s reed frog
