Animal Keeper's Association of Africa

AKAA ZOOKEEPERS SHARING KNOW-HOW AND EXPERIENCES

After the AKAA workshop held in Bloemfontein in October 2009, an invitation was extended to the Friends of the Zoo Bloemfontein and zoo personnel to visit the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria. On Friday the 10th September 2010, 20 FOTZ members and 2 zoo keepers Jerome and Kingsley left at 05:30 for what was to be a very exciting weekend.

Our first stop was at Emerald Animal Park where we were given a tour of the facility by Petro Botha. Emerald is the latest zoo built in South Africa in 2001 and the 14 hectares houses more than 600 animals in beautiful enclosures. We visited the kitchen and butchery area where food is prepared daily according to a specific diet by two men and three ladies, after which it is then collected by a specific zoo keeper for feeding. The kitchen area was very clean and hygienic. We were also given a behind the scene tour of the snake enclosure and of the hospital, which too was very clean.

During our visit the animal keepers were busy cleaning their enclosures, even this was made to be fun. The tedious job of cleaning the hippo enclosure was turned into a game and enjoyed by animal and keeper. I found the personnel to be very friendly and they did not mind us imposing on their territory but welcomed the many questions asked especially by Jerome and Kingsley. Friday afternoon we arrived and settled in our accommodation at the NZG, before meeting the FOTZ members and joined them with their “squatter” evening. An event similar to our zoo snooze but only available to FOTZ members. After dinner we had an informative night tour and then retired for some much needed sleep.

We kicked off Saturday morning with a fun walk hosted by the FOTZ for which we proudly received a medal. The FOTZ treated us to a magnificent spread for breakfast overlooking the elephant enclosure. It was then off in golf cars to explore the zoo. Kingsley and Jerome were taken for a tour of the zoo by AKAA members, this seemed to be very informative and beneficial to them. We had a behind the scene tour of the aquarium, kitchen, butchery and of the hospital. It was remarkable how clean and hygienic it was. The hospital is very impressive and well equipped. There exists a wonderful working relationship between the zoo, both management and zoo keepers and the FOTZ.

Saturday afternoon we visited the Johannesburg Zoo and were given a quick tour by Peter and Lorraine. Due to time constraints we did not manage to see even half the zoo. We visited the kitchen facility which to no surprise was also very clean and odourless. The behavioral enrichment done is evident in the zoo. Saturday evening we were treated to a ballet production of Peter and the wolf which was staged in the beautiful gardens of the zoo. Visitors brought their picnic baskets and camping chairs and enjoyed a great evening.

Both the Johannesburg Zoo and the NZG have the most wonderful facilities. The NZG spend a total of R300 000 on fruit, vegetables and meat every month, and Johannesburg an amount of R350 000. Both institutions have some beautiful enclosures and of course some which are a bit outdated.

Sunday morning we were given a very informative talk on spiders by Elizabeth. I felt a bit like a kid in a candy shop; everywhere were boxes with the most beautiful snakes and tarantulas. Elizabeth, as petite as she is had our full attention as she opened boxes and fed her spiders for us to see. 

Kingsley and Jerome expressed their interest in becoming members of AKAA, and I am pleased to say that the FOTZ will be sponsoring their membership for the next year. Kingsley has also become a member of the FOTZ.

The feedback from members has been very positive and everyone came back with an information overload of ideas for implementation. A wonderful weekend was had by all and I believe it has encouraged a renewed interest as to what can be done in our own zoo.

We look forward to hosting the next AKAA workshop in Bloemfontein in November 2010.

Michelle Muller
Chairperson
Friends of the Zoo
Bloemfontein