Lory Park - Animal and Owl Sanctuary

[Amoli]

Lory Park Zoo in Midrand is a privately owned zoo and owl sanctuary.

Without much ado, I will post info on this zoo, and some pictures I took on my visit last year November.

Lory Park Zoo- great day trip

We have lions tigers, leopards, linxes and more.
We have an array of exotic parrots at our tea garden who keep you company.
During school holidays we organise Ranger Days where you can leave your child at the zoo to be trained as a mini-ranger.
From 8am-4pm they learn to feed the animals and all about their habitat. Open every day.





Lory Park animal and Owl sanctuary is little haven one would not expect to find in the hustle and bustle between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Situtated in Midrand., it is a what many people like to call a boutique zoo, a place where animals can be appreciated up close, where human and animal interaction is welcomed, creating a personal and peaceful atmosphere.

[Amoli]

It all started in the small town of Beaufort west in the Northern Cape where Edward Philippus Van Eck was born.
Eddy spent his youth mostly collecting pet creatures and cacti.

After finishing school in Beaufort West Eddy decided to move to Johannesburg, and from here it was his interest and being the leader of Cacti collections and competitive displays, that lead him to many travels overseas.
Having a keen interest in, and a large collection of Parrots it also meant visiting zoos, sanctuaries and parks in many places of the world.

It was there that Eddy found his inspiration to create a bird park in South Africa that would be similar to those in Europe like for instance Loro Parque in Tenerife.
Eddy took the huge leap of retiring from his then successful construction company, Epeck Construction and taking on the new venture of creating a beautiful bird park in Midrand, which would have one of the largest collections of Parrots in the Southern Africa, it was also important for him to establish a sanctuary that would serve as a peaceful haven for the community, an educational environment for children and a breeding facility for endangered species.

King Vulture (Cites 11 Endangered)

[Amoli]

Eddy and Matty are reaping the rewards after many years of animal dedication.

After two years of hard work and dedication Lory Park was ready to open its gates in April 2000.

The new little haven never came without its hardships, and it took some months before the name Lory Park was known and respected.

Thirteen years ago Midrand was still reasonably unspoilt and consisted of much grassland which was still inhabited by animals such as Grass owls , Marsh owls, Barn owls and Spotted Eagle owls as well as mammals such as Duiker, Caracals, Mongoose, Jackals, hedgehogs and many more.
It was from here on that Midrand started exploding into one of the fastest growing industrial and corporate areas in South Africa, unfortunately with this came more roads, buildings and a need for housing and development, and this in turn had a very negative effect on the fauna and flora and of course the wildlife.

It was then that many people started bringing injured and trapped animals to Lory Park, and often the case being where Eddy would also have to go and collect potentially dangerous animals such as snakes, who previously lived unnoticed and were now deemed vermin due to human encroachment.

Some of these animals were releasable in safe areas, but most were severely injured due to cars, electric fences, human aggression, and electricity lines, and could never be released.
They were the animals that needed a safe haven where they could live out their lives in peace with love and care, and this is where Lory Park soon started becoming a sanctuary to all, and not only a bird park.

It was at this point that Eddy realized the need for expansion and a greater contribution to educating the community on conservation.

During these efforts, Eddy also built a good rapport with nature conservation, SPCA and NSPCA and thus was asked to home many confiscated and abused animals. From there on Lory park is where it is today, an internationally acclaimed zoo which has established a successful co ordinance of animal care, education and community recreation with the highest standards.

Through his passion and love, for animals and nature Eddy has created a beautiful haven in the middle of the concrete jungle for animals and humans to share, a place where human and animal souls may meet and go into the future together.

I found it interesting that ‘confiscated’ animals are happening …. That people attempt to import and export animals illegally.

Today, the park is home to a variety of cats, reptiles and exotic birds that are either in the process of being rehabilitated or are permanently housed at the centre. Some of the species fall into the park’s CITES I and II (endangered species) breeding programmes; others are too vulnerable to be released into the wild.










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[Amoli]

The state-of-the-art animal care facility is also home to critically endangered and endangered species of birds and mammals, including the blue crane, Bengal tiger and king vulture.

Curator Eddy van Eck, the proud owner of the largest collection of lorikeets in the southern hemisphere, made it his life mission to open proper avian facilities where the public and schoolchildren can view birds and learn about bird habitats. The result is Lory Park, a 10ha site where all members of the public can enjoy a holistic learning experience.

Some birds I couldn’t find names for :





The Lory Park tea garden overlooks the open-air parrot and lorikeet enclosure, and children are encouraged to touch and engage with the birds as their parents relax over a cup of coffee. In this way the children get to learn about the birds and experience being close to them.

I was there at the time of feeding the ‘baby’ white lion cubs..







Mommy


Daddy


And our ‘normal’ lion..



I have only posted a patch of the animals held here – I think the best time will be early morning or late afternoon for better pics.

This little weaver birdie was singing…. I am free, free, free…..



Admission
Children under 12: R35
Adults: R55
Pensioners: R30
Guided school tours: R40 per child
Please note: This attraction is a cash-only facility
Visiting hours
Monday to Sunday from 10h00 to 16h00

Directions
From Johannesburg, take the N1 towards Pretoria. Take the Allandale off-ramp at Midrand and turn right. At the third traffic light, turn left onto the R101. Turn right onto Dale Road at the fourth traffic light, and then right onto Kruger Road. Lory Park is 800m along Kruger Road, on the right.
Lory Park is an animal and bird sanctuary that is not only home to a wide range of abandoned and injured wildlife but is also a learning centre for children to understand and appreciate the importance of our wildlife heritage.
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The visitor’s experience is one of being up-close and personal, whether you are introducing the kids to the animals or enjoy petting some of the tamer residents. Remember to bring your camera. An interactive feeding time with certain animals, takes place on a daily basis, usually between 13h00 and 14h00.

[Amoli]

Nan, some of these animals get conviscated at OR Tambo - either as an import or an export. Animals that shouldn't even be in Africa

I saw about 10 species of Raptors and 5 of owls. Their Aviary is packed with beautiful, foreign birds - very colourful.

Sometimes when nursed back to a healthy state, they are so dependent and used to humans, it is impossible to let them free.

So where do we start - ..................... at the beginning. Don't interfere with nature - what's wild.. leave wild. - but until then we will need sanctuaries to look after and nurse them.