King opens bird and reptile Park.

KING Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu was the guest of honour at the Gooderson DumaZulu Game Ranch and Traditional Village on 27 March when he officially unveiled the DumaZulu Walk Thru Bird and Reptile Park.

A work in progress since mid-2013, the official opening of the aviary and reptile park was a homecoming of sorts for King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu who opened the original Gooderson DumaZulu Game Ranch and Traditional Village 20 years ago.

The largest in KwaZulu-Natal, and possibly the country, this 3 000 square metre aviary is home to more than 30 species of bird, both indigenous and exotic, as well as a variety of reptiles and snakes from around the world.

Aviary perimeters are large enough to ensure all birds are free-flying, which has gained SPCA approval.

As conservation is at the heart of tourism in the region, park management aims to stock the aviary and reptile park with only indigenous species going forward.

To this end, a deal has been struck between Gooderson DumaZulu and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).

This means birds unable to be completely rehabilitated and re-released into the wild, will have a permanent home in the Gooderson DumaZulu aviary.

Delays in introducing indigenous birds and reptiles have come about from the numerous wildlife permits required for such an undertaking.

Speaking at the opening, Gooderson Leisure CEO, Gavin Castleman, said, ‘Gooderson Leisure must keep being innovative to keep up with the competitive tourism industry across the country.’

In his speech prior to the unveiling, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu showed his delight in Gooderson Leisure’s decision to bring birds into the park and condemned poaching, saying, ‘it’s disgraceful to see these things.’ He went on to say, ‘People must stop killing rhinos. Our grandchildren must see animals like rhinos alive rather than in pictures.’

He spoke about the importance of government assistance in controlling poaching, including hunting with dogs.

Speaking about how protecting the environment is the responsibility of the general public as well as game reserves, the king highlighted education as being at the heart of starting to curb poaching.

In conclusion, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu spoke of the many positive changes he’d seen at Gooderson DumaZulu Game Ranch and Traditional Village and indicated the economic importance of the company’s investment, both for the province and the country.