Party animals and animal lovers alike can celebrate as the Johannesburg Zoo observes its 114th-year anniversary this month. The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, who’ve collaborated with the zoo, invite the heritage-loving public to join in the celebrations.
The Heritage Foundation has organised a tour at the zoo as part of a splendid heritage visit. “Those who want to join the heritage tour must arrive at the entrance from the parkade by 9.45am to get a lift on the tractor, which leaves for the starting point at 10am,” said Flo Bird, vice-chairperson of the Heritage Foundation.
“The heritage tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday morning in March. They are led by our specially trained tour leaders who will be recounting the story of the zoo, starting with the donation of the Hermann Eckstein Park and Percy Fitzpatrick’s little menagerie.”
The tour also offers a two-hour walk which passes along the old cages, which are gradually evolving into enclosures as the attitude towards zoos and the animals change, according to Bird, who said the walk will move onto paying respect to the statue of Max the heroic gorilla, progressing past the bear pits, which have been converted into delightful adventure spaces for monkeys.
“It would be impossible to visit the zoo without seeing some enchanting animals and there are a number of babies clinging to their moms,” added Bird. “Thanks to the huge trees, the walk is mostly in the shade. If you have memories to share and old photographs of outings to the zoo, do bring them along too.”
Speaking on the historical importance of the zoo and what stands to be gained by people partaking in the heritage tour, however, Bird said the zoo stands as a reminder of the progression that has been made to preserve animal life.
“In the zoo at least we have advanced tremendously. What were once cages are now enclosures and it’s lovely to see the monkeys playing and really exploring those spaces instead of seeing miserable animals just walking up and down.
“What I do think is terribly important, but which they don’t seem too keen about at the Joburg Zoo anymore, is that they should have animals that none of us are ever going to see, but they seem to think this isn’t a good idea.”
Details: Admission fees R60 for adults and R40 for children.
Will you be partaking in the tour? Tell us what you look most forward to by posting on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page.
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