For a conservation organisation based in Oudtshoorn, moments like this do not come often. And when they do, they are worth pausing for. This year, a South African conservation technology project founded by our CEO, Douglas Eriksen, was recognised on the global stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Project ZOA, or Zoological Open Architecture, was awarded the Startup Innovation Award for Top AI Sustainability Project during Davos Innovation Week 2026.
A New Name, The Same Purpose
Change does not always mean starting over. Sometimes, it means bringing things back into alignment.
As part of Cango Wildlife’s broader rebrand in our 40th year of operation, our volunteer programme is entering a new chapter. Wild Animal Volunteers, established in 2012, will now be known as Cango Wildlife Volunteers.
Since its founding, the volunteer programme has played an essential role in supporting animal care, conservation work, and daily operations across the facility. Volunteers have contributed time, energy, and commitment to meaningful conservation experiences, becoming an integral part of the Cango Wildlife story.
As Cango Wildlife has evolved, so too has the need for clarity and cohesion across our platforms, programmes, and identity. Aligning the volunteer programme under the Cango Wildlife name allows us to streamline processes, strengthen recognition, and ensure that every part of the organisation speaks with one clear voice.
The updated name and visual identity reflect this unity. Cango Wildlife Volunteers sits clearly within the wider Cango Wildlife family, reinforcing shared values, standards, and purpose. It also helps current and future volunteers better understand how their contribution fits into the broader conservation work taking place across the organisation.
While the name and branding are in the process of changing, the heart of the programme remains the same. Volunteers and interns will continue to support animal care, conservation education, enrichment activities, and behind the scenes work that contributes directly to the wellbeing of the animals in our care.
This transition is about continuity, not replacement. About building a stronger, more connected foundation that supports both conservation outcomes and volunteer experiences, grounded in responsibility, learning, and meaningful contribution.
Further Reading
The Dodo once walked freely on the island of Mauritius. With no natural predators, it had no reason to fear humans. Within less than a century of human arrival, it was gone. Extinction is permanent. Once a species disappears, there is no recovery, no second chance, no future generations to protect. Every species on the Red List tells a story of pressure. Habitat loss. Human conflict. Climate stress. Decline that did not...
Some partnerships are built quietly and strengthened over time through consistency and shared purpose. Since 2018, Kraaibosch Nurseries in George has supported Cango Wildlife and the Cheetah Preservation Foundation as a benefactor. Their ongoing contributions help sustain the day to day work of conservation, from animal care and veterinary treatment to habitat management and long term programmes focused on threatened species, including cheetahs and other vulnerable wildlife in our care.










Share This Post