September 27, 2004
By Tabisa Mntengwana
CHIMPANZEE families really have something to screech about now that they, along with a pair of orang-utans, have moved into new premises at the Johannesburg Zoo.
The Ape House has been renovated and was officially opened by Johannesburg executive mayor Amos Masondo on Friday, 24 September.
"The upgrading of the new enclosures is part of transforming our 100-year-old zoo into a world-class zoo," said Masondo.
This week the Johannesburg Zoo is celebrating Ape Week, raising awareness of how close these animals are to humans.
Besides the more well-known gorillas, the zoo is home to two families of chimpanzees and a pair of orang-utans.
Zoo marketing manager Elmarie Loubser said that part of the education function of the zoo was to encourage visitors to see the animals in a natural environment.
This meant that the old day enclosures needed to be expanded, as the existing day facilities had become too cramped for the lively, intelligent - and growing - apes. "The old enclosure was not ideal for the apes, both in terms of space and habitat."
"The building of the enclosures started in May 2004," Loubser said.
The three dayrooms have been made more spacious, allowing for the apes to play, eat and socialise, without impacting on the surrounding environment. The outdoor area for the apes has also been extended from 25mē to 950mē.
"Amenities have been added to the new enclosure so the public can appreciate the apes in all conditions," Loubser added.
There will be raised decks, various walkways and viewing windows for the public. Here visitors can enjoy refreshments while watching the apes at play.
The design of the day enclosure includes a five-metre high wall, trees, natural vegetation, streams and a large moat, with a double electric fence. The moat is to ensure that the animals will not wade to the visitor side, nor injure themselves. "The building is animal-friendly, especially the electric fence," assured Anton Matthews, project manager for AUB Projects. "It will not harm the apes."
The night enclosures stay the same since they are used for sleeping only.
"The project cost R2,5-million and it wouldn't have been possible without our sponsors," said Loubser.
The expansion project has been designed and managed by The Friends of the Zoo together with AUB Projects. Sponsors involved in the project include Rhino Fencing, Omni-struct CC, Koprox, City Parks, Sybilla Nagel, Animal Collections Department and the Zoo horticulture.
"This project is a good example of a successful partnership between the government, private sector and other stakeholders like the Friends of the Zoo. We are working together to make a trip to the zoo an improved and exciting experience," said Masondo.
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