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.
Cango Academy Gives Back
In celebration of Women’s Month, Cango Wildlife Ranch proudly supported an initiative that speaks to the heart of empowerment, dignity, and compassion. On 7 August, the team visited a local school to donate items to learners in need.
Many of these young women grew up in rural areas and knew firsthand the challenges of accessing sanitary pads, especially when travelling long distances to school or staying away from home for education or sport. They remembered how the lack of basic menstrual hygiene products often led to missed classes, discomfort, and embarrassment.
Understanding this struggle, they decided to make a difference for learners facing the same challenges today. What began as a discussion quickly grew into a purposeful initiative to collect essential hygiene items. The drive called for sanitary pads, face cloths, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, with the aim of creating full care packages for distribution.
While the project began in honour of Women’s Month, the Academy felt strongly about supporting both girls and boys. The girls received the complete set of items, while the boys received everything except the sanitary products. This approach sent a clear message that dignity and care are not limited by gender.
Thanks to the generosity of staff, community members, and supporters, the Academy students were able to provide care packages to the entire matric class of a local school. The success of the drive went beyond expectations. With surplus donations still available, the Academy extended its reach and delivered the remaining items to a local shelter for women and girls.
This initiative was never about recognition or publicity. It was about respect, dignity, and making sure that no young person feels unseen or unsupported. By addressing the needs of both girls and boys, and by supporting the shelter, the students created a ripple of care that reached far beyond their original goal.
Cango Wildlife Ranch is incredibly proud of the Cango Academy students for their leadership, empathy, and commitment to uplifting others. Their work stands as a strong example of community spirit in action.
Here’s to empowering youth, one care package at a time.
Further Reading
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.










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