{"id":178179,"date":"2018-05-11T06:30:32","date_gmt":"2018-05-11T04:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=178179"},"modified":"2018-05-11T13:40:29","modified_gmt":"2018-05-11T11:40:29","slug":"eight-things-know-johannesburg-zoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/05\/11\/eight-things-know-johannesburg-zoo\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight things you should know about the Johannesburg Zoo"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Johannesburg Zoo is one of the most popular attractions for visitors in Joburg, visited by over half a million people every year.<\/p>\n

This is with good reason because for more than a century the Zoo has provided urbanites with an opportunity to experience wildlife on their doorsteps.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

The zoo houses animals from across the globe and it is constantly growing its collection.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Gibbons will thrill visitors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The zoo is also a constantly evolving entity whose mission has changed considerably over the years.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

That means there may be a fair few things that even its most ardent visitors might not be aware of.<\/p>\n

Here are eight things you should know about the Zoo:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. It\u2019s 114 years old<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Johannesburg Zoo opened its gates in 1904, with the land it\u2019s built on gifted to the city the year before, having previously been part of a farm and later a timber plantation.<\/p>\n

    As well as, the zoo, the land would come to include Zoo Lake and the South African National Museum of Military History.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. There\u2019s a Jock of the Bushveld connection <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The first animals to be donated to the zoo came from Jock of the Bushveld <\/em>author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick\u2019s private collection.<\/p>\n

      Among those animals were two lions and a leopard, with Fitzpatrick continuing to source animals for the zoo until 1912.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. It houses thousands of animals from hundreds of species <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u00a0<\/strong>The Johannesburg Zoo is home to approximately 2 300 animals from 328 species.<\/p>\n

        These include species of frogs, spiders, birds, reptiles, fish and mammals.<\/p>\n

        \"\"
        Water buffalo are one of the sights at the zoo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
          \n
        1. It\u2019s big on conservation <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          These days, zoos aren\u2019t just places you go to see animals in captivity.<\/p>\n

          They play an important role in the conservation of many species.<\/p>\n

          The Johannesburg Zoo is no exception and is involved in several notable conservation projects.<\/p>\n

          These include breeding programmes for Siberian tigers and African wild dogs, as well as breed and release programmes for the Cape vulture and wattled crane.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. You can visit at night <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            \u00a0<\/strong>The zoo hosts several night tours, allowing visitors to experience its nocturnal creatures, including a sunset tour, moonlight tour, and night tour.<\/p>\n

            Each tour includes entrance, parking, a tour, a bonfire, tea, coffee, marshmallows and hot chocolate.<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

            Educational outing for the elderly<\/a><\/p>\n

            Happy ending for stray dogs Holly and Willow<\/a><\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

              \n
            1. You can spend the night <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              \u00a0<\/strong>If you\u2019re looking for an adventurous night among the animals without having to head out of town to a game reserve, then you might be pleased to learn that you can camp out at the zoo.<\/p>\n

              Anyone opting for the so-called \u201cZoo Snooze\u201d package gets a behind- the-scenes tour and night tour, ending off with a bonfire.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. It has a farm animal project<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                The zoo\u2019s conservation efforts aren\u2019t just limited to wild animals.<\/p>\n

                It also has a farm animal conservation project.<\/p>\n

                The collection includes small and giant breeds, as well as indigenous and animals from abroad.<\/p>\n

                Among the species are buff orpington and black australorp chicken, crested duck, Chinese goose, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, Zulu sheep, and Nguni cattle.<\/p>\n

                \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. It hosts an annual Mother\u2019s Day concert <\/strong><\/p>\n

                Every year, the zoo celebrates mothers, and this year is no exception.<\/p>\n

                On May 13, the Johannesburg Zoo will celebrate all mothers with its annual Mother’s Day concert.<\/p>\n

                As well as, musical performances, the concert will feature animal tours and a children\u2019s area, giving mom the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.<\/p>\n

                Musical performances will feature soulful jazz band, The Soil, and jazz-soul musician Lunga Mavuso.<\/p>\n

                \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

                Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n

                Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

                Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

                Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

                YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

                Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n

                Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                \n