February 28, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
THERE has been a flurry of activity at Johannesburg Zoo lately, as expansion and improvements go ahead.
The chief executive, Jenny Gray, says she is happy about the achievements over the past year. And there have been quite a few developments.
Wooden walkways over four enclosures create an atmosphere of adventure
Two years into the zoo's planned revamp, the Ape House has been expanded and improved, and a new living area for the crocodiles – the Carnivore Curve – has been built.
Other upgrades are on the cards as part of the huge redesign of the zoo.
Marketing co-ordinator Senzo Ngcobo is excited by what he sees around him daily. "The Ape House used to be small and didn't look good, but now it has been extended."
In 2004 Johannesburg Zoo embarked on a five-year redevelopment plan, centred on dividing the zoo into several zones:
- The Spice Route, for animals found along the old trading routes to India and China;
- Heart of Africa, where the gorillas, chimpanzees and other animals from central Africa can be found;
- Southern Safari, for southern African animals from lions to bush babies;
- Extreme Environments, for desert animals like camels and cold climate inhabitants like polar bears and penguins; and
- Amazonia, reserved for the animals of South America.
Also forming part of the zoo experience is the farmyard for younger children, and entertainment areas for playing and picnicking.
Ape House and Carnivore Curve
Already completed are the Ape House, the Forest Floor, which forms part of the Heart of Africa, and the Carnivore Curve complex, which forms part of the Southern Safari zone.
The popular Ape House was upgraded and expanded because facilities for the primates' were inadequate and not ideal for its agile and intelligent residents. The great apes, gorillas, chimpanzees and orang-utans have similar DNA to humans, explaining our fascination with them.
As part of the changes, the area has been heavily greened. The primates' natural habitats are generally very green. There are now a number of viewing spots, including an elevated platform over the old tram station.
The Forest Floor houses four rare and endangered species – the sitatunga, bongo, Red River hog and red duiker. It is uniquely designed to simulate the natural environment of these species, and boasts an excellent animal behaviour enrichment opportunity.
Emphasis was also placed on visitor experience. Wooden walkways run over four enclosures, creating an adventure atmosphere. In the middle of these is an exotic bird aviary, to create the right ambience.
The Carnivore Curve complex has been doubled in size. The upgrade took into account the animals' welfare and operational aspects of the enclosure. There are shade trees and a small stream and waterfall were built to mimic the animals' habitat. Inside the enclosure, 40 male Nile crocodiles and 10 females move about freely.
The Ape House has been expanded and improved
"I am happy about the progress thus far," Gray said.
Heart of Africa zone
Work is continuing on the Heart of Africa zone, with the antelope enclosure still needing attention. The enclosure for the pigmy hippopotamuses is also being expanded.
The Spice Route is beginning, with the broadening and expanding of the lemurs' enclosure. This should encourage these endangered species to breed. Buildings and paths in the zone will lend an air of the mystery of the Orient.
Workers are also building the tiger enclosure in the zone. This was a huge project and was going to take time, said Ngcobo.
One of the reasons for this was that "the resources are a bit challenging", he said.
In addition to these changes, the zoo's perimeter wall is being painted, with pairs of animal eyes keeping a watch over traffic on Jan Smuts Avenue. "We want to encourage people to visit the zoo," said Duwayn Rudman of Wallscapes, the company that donated the artwork.
The paintings have been described by the chairperson of the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust, Flo Bird, as "a good advertising strategy for the zoo".
Recently a hefty new male giraffe added to the zoo's numbers. Weighing 100 kilograms, it was born on 20 January – the first male giraffe to be born and live at the zoo in the past 30 years.
"The newborn has brought the zoo delight," Ngcobo said.
Work is still to be done on the Southern Safari and Extreme Environments zones, as well as on the farmyard.
The aim of redeveloping the zoo was to create a themed adventure experience, with the title "Explore our Wild Places". It would work by transporting zoo visitors from the middle of Johannesburg to the world's wild places.
To experience the changes that have taken place already, visit Johannesburg Zoo on Jan Smuts Avenue and Upper Park Drive, Parkview. The entrance is on Upper Park Drive.
For more information call 011 646 2000 or visit the Joburg Zoo website.
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