FOURTEEN visitors from the UK and one visitor from the States arrived in Johannesburg today (Friday) to attend tomorrow's official opening of the 20 000 square metre Lory Park Zoo, the only zoo of its kind in Southern Africa to focus entirely on bird species from all over the world.
Eddie van Eck, the zoo's owner, told Travel Now that Phase One (which opens on Saturday) contains approximately 300 bird species and is the only venue in the country where one can view the Emerald Collared Parakeet and the Horned Parakeet.
"I also want to stress that the aviaries are set in lush, green gardens with trees and foliage for the birds, they're not stuck in tiny little cages," says van Eck.
A restaurant, located under a huge oak tree, provides sit-down lunches on Saturdays and Sundays when the zoo is open to the public. Weekdays are reserved for school groups where children are allowed to play with young hand-reared birds, are given educational talks and can sketch rare, endangered birds.
Construction on phase one cost approximately R2,5 million with a further R800 000 to be spent on phase two, which will hold raptors such as eagles, owls and kites, amongst others.
Van Eck says construction on phase two has already begun and should be should be completed by October.
Lory Park was granted zoo status by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment last month and will be run by three partners, Van Eck, who is curator and sole owner, Antonie Meiring of the Farmall Parrot Trust, who is the breeding co-ordinator and Sharon Gardner will be managing the public relations department. Gardener also contributed a large number of birds, together with a number of international breeders and overseas zoos.
"The fact that the zoo is totally unique to South Africa is sure to draw a number of international visitors," predicts van Eck.
(Adele Mackenzie)
