Cango Chronicles - Page 2

Cango Wildlife has spent the past three months working quietly but tirelessly behind the scenes. The goal is simple: refresh key spaces for the upcoming season and prepare for our 40th anniversary in 2026. Step by step, the facility is transforming, and visitors will notice these changes from the moment they arrive.

On Friday, 21 November, the Cango Wildlife team came together for an important moment of unity and awareness. From 12:00 to 13:00, the women on our grounds paused their work to take part in the National Women for Change G20 Shutdown. The hour created intentional space for reflection, education, and emotional support.

Earlier this month, Animal Caregivers Pippa Fourie, Suanne Hugo and Kevin Slabbert visited Little Bo Peep Pre-Primary School for a gentle and engaging educational talk. The visit formed part of our ongoing outreach programme, where we introduce young children to wildlife, conservation, and the importance of caring for the natural world.

This year marked a proud milestone for Cango Wildlife as we took on the role of headline sponsor for the Klein Karoo Business Relay for the first time. On 16 October, Baron van Reede Street came alive as businesses, families, schools and supporters gathered to celebrate fitness, teamwork and community spirit in the heart of Oudtshoorn.

October at Cango Wildlife and the Wild Animal Volunteer programme brought a spirited twist to conservation, as staff, volunteers, and our Ambassador Animals joined in a playful celebration of Halloween. From hand-painted enrichment bags to paper-bag mask antics in the veld, this year’s festivities blended fun with purpose, showcasing the creativity and heart behind our animal-care and volunteer teams.

Douglas Eriksen, Chief Executive Officer of Cango Wildlife, represented South Africa at the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) 80th Annual Conference in Cali, Colombia, held in celebration of WAZA’s 90th anniversary. The global event brought together nearly 200 zoos, aquariums, NGOs and biodiversity partners from across the world to advance collaboration in conservation, operational excellence and environmental protection.

Cango Wildlife is undergoing one of the most dynamic transformation periods in its history, with extensive developments across the facility aimed at elevating guest experiences, expanding educational opportunities and furthering world-class animal care and conservation. In preparation for the facility's 40th anniversary celebration in February 2026, a series of major upgrades are currently underway. New enclosures are being built to welcome exciting species and provide enhanced viewing and educational opportunities. Each enclosure...

Johannesburg Zoo recently hosted South Africa’s first comprehensive animal behavioural management workshop in partnership with Wild Welfare and Wild Welfare US. The four day programme brought together more than sixty animal care professionals from across the country, including our own Jenna Lowe, Assistant Animal Curator, and Siyabonga Dlamini, an Animal Caretaker. This milestone training centred on progressive animal welfare principles, ethical decision making, enrichment development and positive reinforcement training. Delegates explored how...

We are proud to share an exciting milestone in our journey. As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary in February 2026, we have refreshed our visual identity and introduced a modern evolution of our name. Moving forward, we will be known simply as Cango Wildlife - a name that reflects who we are today and the vision we carry for the decades ahead.

Heritage Day, celebrated annually on 24 September in South Africa, is a public holiday dedicated to honoring our nation’s diverse cultures, traditions, and shared history. It encourages South Africans to reflect on their roots and celebrate what makes the country unique. Over time, it has also become popularly known as “Braai Day,” with the braai (barbecue) seen as a unifying tradition across all communities. While people may have distinct ways of preparing...