BUMPER YEAR AT THE JOHANNESBURG ZOO 

Johannesburg, July 12, 2005 

Visitor numbers for the 2005 financial year at the Johannesburg Zoo are up by 14% and the highest since the Zoo was transferred into a Section 21 Company in 2000. CEO Jenny Gray attributes the increase to the new animals and exhibits at the Zoo. 

“In the past 12 months we have seen the Ape house upgraded and themed around Central Africa, the lemur islands in central lake, the new forest floor habitat and the upgrading of the old carnivore curve complex. The highlight of the year was the arrival of Makoko, the new male gorilla, who replaced Max. He and Lisa have settled well. Many smaller animals have also joined the collection - siamang gibbons, provost squirrels, howler monkey, armadillo and the elusive mona monkeys. We have had a bumper year for animal births with over 200 births.” 

Another feature that makes the Johannesburg Zoo such an attractive destination is the park like setting. The horticulture department and technical teams are key to ensuring that the Zoo is a well-maintained, safe destination. The winter flowers add a touch of colour, but watch out for spring when the Zoo will bloom. 

Education programs continue to be popular with over 150,000 children visiting the Zoo a year. Tours and talks have grown, in particular the night tours, which shows off the shy nocturnal creatures, and the “behind the scenes” tours, which introduce visitors to the complexity of running a Zoo.

Regular events like the fireside tales and the Zoo trot have grown steadily through the year. The two venues available for hire, The Old Elephant House and the Anglo Gold Conference Centre at the lion enclosure are becoming a popular escape for business meetings. 

Financial results mirror the growth in visitors, for the second year the Zoo will post a small profit. As a Section 21 Company the Zoo is a “not for profit” company and strives to achieve a positive break even. “All of our focus is on using our revenue streams to upgrade the Zoo and improve the welfare of our animals. In the new year we will be moving the Brown Bears to a new, upgraded bear enclosure which will complete the eradication of terrible enclosures, from there the focus will be on the creation of new habitats starting with the Amazon Jungle,” says Gray.

Chairman Ike Ngwena is delighted with the increase in visitors, but has challenged the Zoo to keep growing. “A city the size of Johannesburg needs a place where children can run around and learn about our biodiversity. The Johannesburg Zoo is an ideal environment for city dwellers to reconnect with nature and the perfect place to take your children. Next year we would like to see an even greater growth in visitors. Many new projects are planned which will see the Johannesburg Zoo becoming a World Class African Zoo.”

For more information, contact Senzo Ngcobo on 011-646 2000 extension 225 or e-mail senzo@jhbzoo.org.za 

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