Joburg Zoo’s 2024 highlights: Celebrating 120 years of wildlife wonder
With a year full of growth, innovation, and community support, the Joburg Zoo continues to thrive as a hub of conservation, education, and festive joy.
As the festive season arrives, Joburg Zoo wraps up an incredible 2024, marking 120 years of heritage, conservation, and community. March was a standout month with more than 227 000 visitors celebrating the zoo’s milestone anniversary with a R20 entrance fee to make the experience accessible. This year, we also celebrated Lammie the elephant’s 45th birthday with a fruit-and-vegetable cake shared with her elephant friends.
Corporate support played a big role, with donations such as climbing frames for the lions, owl enclosures, and water troughs for the wild dogs, enhancing habitats and visitor experiences. The zoo’s browse project united the community, providing edible branches to enrich animal diets while reducing green waste.
Sustainability was a focus, with new JoJo tanks and solar panels aiding the zoo’s green goals. Education and conservation also took the spotlight, with updated signage, selfie frames, and a conference on resilience for African zoos.
Also read: Joburg learners celebrate National Science Week in Joburg Zoo
It’s impossible to highlight just one hero of the year at the Joburg Zoo because the true heroes are the incredible team of zoo employees and the various partners who’ve made 2024 a resounding success. The collaborative efforts with the Joburg Theatre, Caxton Newspapers, residential associations, and the Friends of the Zoo have strengthened the zoo’s outreach and allowed it to continue being a cherished part of Johannesburg’s fabric. Together, they’ve helped make the zoo not just a place to visit, but a place to belong.
As the year draws to a close, the Joburg Zoo extends heartfelt thanks to all its supporters and sponsors. Their dedication ensures that the zoo continues to educate, inspire, and provide joy to all who walk through its gates. Here’s to another year of growth, adventure, and a deeper connection with the animal kingdom in 2025.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Joburg Zoo invites you to adopt mom’s favourite animal
