The Johannesburg Zoo is situated in the leafy northern suburb of Johannesburg covers 55 hectares of land. The zoo was founded in 1904 when the land was donated by the firm of Herman Ekstein. The Zoo houses over 320 species of animals and is internationally accredited and highly respected for its husbandry practices of maintaining a high standard of animal welfare, nutrition and ethical conduct, ensuring the physical and psychological well-being of all its animals.
“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly;
“’Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy” – Mary Howitt (1799-1888)
Animals found in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve include the worlds largest antelope, the Eland, Burchell’s Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Ostrich, two of Africa’s “big five” Buffalo and White Rhino, Bushpig, as well as a number of Black-backed Jackal, Mountain Reedbuck, Oribi, Grey Duiker, Steenbuck, Brown Hyena, Porcupine, Springhare, Aardwolf and Banded Mongoose.
