Cango Chronicles

Continuous learning and professional development play an important role in maintaining high standards of animal care and welfare. From 7 to 10 September 2026, I had the privilege of attending a four-day Animal Husbandry Workshop hosted at Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary and presented by Wild Welfare UK. The workshop was an incredibly valuable experience, offering the opportunity to expand my knowledge, exchange ideas with fellow animal care professionals and gain...

The Cango Wildlife team traded their usual working environment for muddy trails and obstacles at the 2026 Dust 4 Glory Challenge. On 17 October 2026, Wilgewandel Holiday Farm in Oudtshoorn came alive with energy, determination and plenty of muddy smiles as participants gathered for the annual Klein Karoo Dust 4 Glory Obstacle Challenge.

As Cango Wildlife celebrates 40 years of conservation in 2026, we continue to introduce new ways for visitors, volunteers and interns to experience and connect with our facility. October marked two exciting milestones with the official launch of BOA Pods at Cango Wildlife and our new Circle Volunteer & Intern Community Hub.

On Thursday, 22 October 2026, the streets of Oudtshoorn came alive with excitement, friendly competition and incredible community spirit as the annual Cango Wildlife Klein Karoo Business Relay returned to Baron van Reede Street, welcoming an impressive 60 teams for an unforgettable evening. Organised in collaboration with Jakhals Events and presented under the banner of the Klein Karoo Athletics Fund (KKAF), the event brought together local businesses, schools, public institutions, families and...

From 12 to 16 October 2026, conservation educators from around the world gathered in Cape Town for the International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) Conference, hosted by the Two Oceans Aquarium. Among the 187 delegates representing 35 countries and 124 organisations was Cango Academy, proudly showcasing an innovative approach to conservation education and workforce development.

At Cango Wildlife, exceptional animal care extends far beyond daily feeding and enrichment. Recently, our veterinary and animal care teams undertook specialised dental procedures on two of our remarkable residents, Rafiki the Cheetah and Saltan the Tiger, highlighting the importance of proactive healthcare in wildlife conservation. The procedures were performed by renowned veterinary dentist Dr Cedric Tutt, with Dr Shaun Sagor from Oudtshoorn Veterinary Clinic overseeing the anaesthesia and ensuring the animals'...

Have you ever wondered whether the blood cells of a massive blue whale are significantly larger than those of a human? Considering the enormous difference in body size, you might expect the answer to be a resounding yes. However, the science behind it is far more fascinating than you might think!

Some memories are captured in photographs. Others come home with you in a slightly more permanent way. For Australian volunteers Jamie, Hayley and Jess, and Cango Academy student Zenny, their time together in the Klein Karoo was marked with an experience they will quite literally carry with them forever.

Cango Wildlife CEO Douglas Eriksen recently took Project ZOA to a new audience, delivering the keynote address at the 18th NRF-SAEON Graduate Student Network Indibano in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, on 16 September 2026. The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), a research platform of the National Research Foundation, brings together scientists working across South Africa’s terrestrial, marine, freshwater and atmospheric environments. Its Graduate Student Network connects Master’s and PhD researchers from across the...

The final day of Arbor Month brought with it a fitting moment of growth at the newly opened Africa Skills Cango Academy, as representatives from the Garden Route District Municipality joined the Cango team for the handover and planting of indigenous trees. The Garden Route District Municipality donated 35 indigenous plants, comprising 20 Karee trees and 15 Spekboom, to be planted at the Academy. The initiative formed part of Arbor Month and...