June 2, 2004
By Bontle Moeng
THE Johannesburg Zoo has a new pair of animals in the menagerie - a two-ton statue of two buffaloes now stands next to the zoo's central lake and near the elephant and lemur enclosures.
The sculpture, worth R1,7-million, is here for the zoo's centenary celebrations this year.
"The statue commemorates the 100 years' celebration at the Johannesburg Zoo. It's a magnificent piece of art and has become an attraction already. It's going to be such a landmark," said the zoo's chief executive, Jennifer Gray.
The two-ton statue of buffaloes
The statue - which was created by a well-known Cape Town sculptor, Dylan Lewis, in 1999 - is on loan from Sun International and will be in the zoo's gardens indefinitely.
One of the zoo's non-executive directors, Edith Venter, unveiled the animals on Friday 28 May.
Said Venter: "The sculpture will find its home amongst its real-life compatriots."
And the zoo's general manager for marketing, Elmarie Loubser, said: "The buffalo is a symbol of strength and resilience. Like the buffalo, the zoo emulates similar symbols.
"In celebration of these qualities, the Johannesburg Zoo is embracing the receipt of this sculpture," she said.
"The Johannesburg Zoo has grown from strength to strength and has stood the test of time."
For more information, contact the zoo on 011 646 2000. The zoo is at the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Upper Park Drive in Saxonwold.
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