Lory Park Zoo and Owl Sanctuary in President Park celebrates 20 years
MIDRAND – The Lory Park Zoo is gearing up to celebrate their 20th birthday.
The Lory Park Zoo and Owl Sanctuary is celebrating their 20th birthday this year.
The zoo was founded in 2000 by Eddy and Matty van Eck with the initial purpose of being a bird sanctuary. Matty said, “Midrand was very different when we started. We started as a bird sanctuary with the purpose of giving the community a place to engage with.”
She added that the sanctuary turned into a multi-faceted zoo with the growth in development in the area. “There were still jackals, mongoose and other animals in the area. A lot of development and road tarring disrupted the environment and the people began finding these animals and handing them over to us… So as things moved forward, we grew slowly.”
The organisation has grown exponentially, becoming an important part of the local community and placed an important emphasis on education with long-term involvement with various schools in Midrand.
Park manager Kara Heynis said that the zoo has become a personal and hands-on zoo that belongs to Midrand and is an important part of the community.
Matty added, “We’re very different to the national zoo and the community around us love and treasure us.”
On moving forward, she said, “We have reached our limits in terms of space. So now we would like improve on what we already do for the next 20 years. But also we want to grow our role in conservation, and give back to the community. If we flourish, we can do more.”
The Lory Park Zoo and Owl Sanctuary will be celebrating their birthday on the weekend of 4 and 5 April with small markets and educational activities for the whole family. The zoo will also give all their visitors over that weekend a R20 discount on their entrance to commemorate their 20 years.
Details: Lory Park Zoo and Owl Sanctuary www.lorypark.co.za
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