Home » Joburg Zoo Re-Opens as Volunteers Grab Unique Opportunity

Joburg Zoo Re-Opens as Volunteers Grab Unique Opportunity

A strike at Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa has led to a unique opportunity for locals to volunteer and get up close and personal with some of the over 2,000 animals, while the allegedly illegal strike continues. The zoo workers went on strike on Friday, causing the zoo to shut down, because of apparent issues with salaries […]

A strike at Johannesburg Zoo in South Africa has led to a unique opportunity for locals to volunteer and get up close and personal with some of the over 2,000 animals, while the allegedly illegal strike continues.

Joburg Zoo volunteers
Volunteers at Joburg Zoo. Photo: FB/JohannesburgZoo

The zoo workers went on strike on Friday, causing the zoo to shut down, because of apparent issues with salaries and management.

The 55-hectare zoo – which is a drawcard for international and local visitors, as well as school groups – issued a statement through Twitter on Friday saying: “We are currently experiencing labour unrest, the zoo is closed today, contingency plans are in place to ensure the animals are cared for.”

The zoo then posted messages on social media seeking volunteers to take care of the animals in the interim.

This morning on Facebook the zoo thanked the volunteers who had come in yesterday for their “overwhelming support” and posted the above photo saying “we appreciate your time, enthusiasm and care”. Many of the volunteers took to Facebook to express their gratitude for the experience.

One – Mark Hale – said it had been an “incredible opportunity” and that he had worked with a lady whose “knowledge and enthusiasm was incredible to say the least. I worked with the birds next to the rhinos and what an experience.”

Volunteer Siyabonga Zungu says he discovered some challenges like that “cleaning up the elephant poo with a broom” is very difficult “because it’s hard and it’s dry”. For Aphelele Njingolo, he said it had been a good opportunity to fulfil some of the 20 hours of community service he has to complete for a school project.

Some volunteers also enjoyed the photo opportunity, getting closer to the animals than usual, while cleaning their enclosures or feeding them.

It seems Paul Sutherland summed up the experience for most when he said: “Was an awesome rewarding day to volunteer. Will do it again ANYTIME.”

Watch Video: Volunteers fill void at Joburg Zoo