Tigerman wows to Rietvlei Zoo
Children can see and touch ponies, rabbits, exotic snakes, hedgehogs, geese, camels and little piggies at the WEF at Rietvlei
THE Wildlife Education Foundation (WEF) is in operation at Rietvlei Zoo Farm and giving children the opportunity to see and touch exotic animals.
Expert animal handlers Johan and Nicolene Wagenaar have taken the south by storm with their wildlife demonstrations.
John, also known as Tigerman, a nickname he was given by the BBC, is a self-proclaimed lover of all cats. Born and bred in Brackenhurst, John has brought his expertise back home to where his love for animals started.
“I used to volunteer here at Rietvlei when there were still animals and later I studied to become a Game Ranger,” said John.
“When I was young, I played outside and I learnt about trees, animals and rocks. There was no PlayStation.”
John is one of a handful of professional animal handlers in South Africa and started his career working with big cats at the age of 16. He is now a qualified and professional field guide who has featured in numerous wildlife films and documentaries.
John is currently giving presentations called “Lessons From Lions” to students who visit the education foundation at Rietvlei. While acquisition of big cats at the farm is still in process, a world of animals can be seen and touched.
Nicolene Wagenaar also brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the presentations and school tours.
“I have been an animal handler since I was 18. We teach children about wetlands and streams. Our learning programme is practical and easy to apply to the mind,” said Nicolene, adding that their programme starts with an animal presentation, and progresses to a tour of the farm yard.
