Cango Chronicles - Page 2

When the Heath family from the UK chose to spend their holiday in Oudtshoorn, they didn’t book a safari or a beach escape. Instead, they signed up for the Wild Animal Volunteer Programme at Cango Wildlife Ranch - together, as a family.

While carrying out their daily tasks near our workshop, our maintenance team spotted an unexpected visitor — a Red-lipped Herald. This striking little snake is native to Southern Africa and is easily identified by the reddish-orange tint around its mouth. Although mildly venomous, the Red-lipped Herald is considered harmless to humans and plays an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

At Cango Wildlife Ranch, every day offers new lessons in conservation, care, and connection. Through our Wild Animal Volunteers (WAV) Internship Programme and partnerships with organisations like Loop Abroad, students from across the globe gain first-hand exposure to the vital veterinary work that underpins wildlife conservation.

As the Ranch has grown over the years, so too have the needs of our team and the animals in our care. One of the very first “buildings” on the property was actually a set of containers that served as our cold meat storage and freezer. These containers worked hard and outlasted their lifespan, but as the ranch expanded and more enclosures were added, it became clear that we had outgrown them.

When we launched our Like, Share & Subscribe competition on social media, we were blown away by the enthusiasm and support from our community. After all the entries, we were thrilled to announce Anchen Killian as our lucky winner. Even more special, she chose to redeem her prize on her birthday on 13 August when she celebrated her 56th year.

This year has been filled with exciting changes at Cango Wildlife Ranch. We have welcomed new team members, celebrated well-deserved promotions, and seen students and casual workers step into permanent positions. Each story reflects dedication, growth, and a deep passion for wildlife and conservation. Our Ranch family has grown stronger than ever. We are proud to celebrate the following staff members who have taken on new titles and responsibilities in 2025:

When Stefano Covalero (Italy) and Gayn Im (South Korea) joined us as volunteers, they probably never thought they would be building a reindeer in the middle of the Karoo. But that is exactly what they did, and not just any reindeer, but one designed as a very special enrichment surprise for our magnificent Snow White Bengal Tiger, Nevada.

If you wander through the Valley of Ancients Temple and peer into our fish tank, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a truly remarkable creature - our female Chinese Softshell Turtle. Sharing her home with shimmering cichlids and lively Red-Eared Sliders, she is not always easy to spot. In fact, she is something of a hide-and-seek champion, slipping beneath the sand or nestling among the rocks where she...

If you’ve ever wandered into our Valley of Ancients Temple, chances are you’ve already met Boo, our African Grey Parrot with a personality far bigger than his wingspan. According to one of his devoted caregivers, Pippa Fourie, “Boo is the friendliest little chap. He will always come over to say hi. He loves his head scratches and believes the world turns for him, which it does. It’s his world, we just live...

The Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a striking waterfowl, easily recognised by its chestnut eye patches, pink legs, and bold chest markings. Despite their name, they are not limited to Egypt. Their name comes from their strong presence along the Nile River in ancient times, where they were revered and often depicted in art and hieroglyphs. They were symbols of fertility and protection, appearing in some of the earliest known bird artwork....