8 Things you should know about Johannesburg Zoo

Beyond Johannesburg Zoo being one of the more well-known institutions in the province, bringing families and friends together on educational explorations of animal life, it also celebrates mothers every year.

It covers 55 hectares of land and was founded in 1904 when the land was donated by the firm of Herman Ekstein.

The zoo houses over 328 species of animals and is internationally accredited and highly respected for its husbandry practices of maintaining a high standard of animal welfare, nutrition and ethical conduct, ensuring the physical and psychological well-being of all its animals.

Here are eight things you should know about the zoo:

1. It’s 114 years old

Johannesburg Zoo opened its gates in 1904, with the land it’s built on gifted to the city the year before, having previously been part of a farm and later a timber plantation.

As well as the zoo, the land would come to include Zoo Lake and the South African National Museum of Military History.

2. There’s a Jock of the Bushveld connection

The first animals to be donated to the zoo came from Jock of the Bushveld author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s private collection. Among those animals were two lions and a leopard, with Fitzpatrick continuing to source animals for the zoo until 1912.

3. It houses thousands of animals from hundreds of species

Johannesburg Zoo is home to about 2 300 animals from 328 species. These include species of frogs, spiders, birds, reptiles, fish and mammals.

4. It’s big on conservation

These days, zoos aren’t just places you go to see animals in captivity. They play an important role in the conservation of many species. Johannesburg Zoo is no exception and is involved in several notable conservation projects.

These include breeding programmes for Siberian Tigers and African Wild Dogs, as well as breed and release programmes for the Cape Vulture and Wattled Crane.

5. You can visit at night

The zoo hosts several night tours, allowing visitors to experience its nocturnal creatures, including a sunset tour, moonlight tour and night tour. Each tour includes entrance, parking, tour, bonfire, tea, coffee, marshmallows and hot chocolate.

6. You can spend the night

If you’re looking for an adventurous night among the animals without having to head out of town to a game reserve, then you might be pleased to learn that you can camp out at the zoo.

Anyone opting for the so-called “Zoo Snooze” package gets a behind the scenes tour and night tour, ending off with a bonfire.

7. It has a farm animal project

The zoo’s conservation efforts aren’t just limited to wild animals. It also has a farm animal conservation project.

The collection includes small and giant breeds, as well as indigenous and animals from abroad. Among the species are Buff Orpington and Black Australorp chicken, Crested Duck, Chinese Goose, Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs, Zulu sheep and Nguni cattle.

8.It hosts an annual Mother’s Day concert

Every year, the zoo celebrates mothers, and this year is no exception. On May 13, Johannesburg Zoo will celebrate all mothers with its annual Mother’s Day concert.

Besides musical performances, the day will feature animal tours and kiddies’ area, giving mom the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.

Musical performances will feature soulful jazz band, The Soil, and jazz-soul musician Lunga Mavuso.