Here at Cango Wildlife, we are fortunate to care for two wonderful meerkats, Lumi and Skye, each with their own unique personality. Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of working closely with them on a daily basis, building trust and strengthening the bond we share.
Events & PromotionsBorn To Be Wild: Celebrating 40 Years & Building The Next 40

Cango Wildlife marks four decades of conservation, community and connection, and invites businesses, organisations and individuals to become part of the legacy.
In 1986, a vision took root in Oudtshoorn. Forty years later, that vision has grown into Cango Wildlife, a conservation centre that has welcomed generations of visitors, cared for hundreds of animals and built a legacy centred around conservation, animal welfare, education and community.
2026 marks our 40th anniversary. And while 40 years deserves to be celebrated, this milestone is about far more than looking back.
It is about recognising the people, partnerships, animals and community that have shaped our story, and inviting others to help us shape what comes next.
Four Decades. One Legacy. Over the past four decades, Cango Wildlife has continued to evolve.
From our founding in 1986 and the release of wild dogs in 1999, to the development of the Valley of Ancients, the launch of our international volunteer programme, cheetah rewilding initiatives, Project ZOA, the evolution of the BOA Foundation and, most recently, the launch of Cango Academy, each chapter has added something to the organisation we are today. Sponsorship Proposal Cango Wild…
Today, Cango Wildlife cares for more than 300 animals and welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually. Our work reaches far beyond our gates, connecting conservation, tourism, education and community while contributing to a much broader conversation about the future of wildlife.
As a voting member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Cango Wildlife is also part of an international network committed to conservation, animal welfare and accredited standards. In 2026, our CEO, Douglas Eriksen, presented Project ZOA at the World Economic Forum in Davos, taking an initiative born here in the Klein Karoo onto a global platform.
But perhaps one of the most important parts of our 40-year story has always been much closer to home.
Our community.
Born to Be Wild 1986: This November, we will celebrate that journey through Born to Be Wild 1986, a three-day 40th anniversary celebration taking place from 6 to 8 November 2026 at Cango Wildlife in Oudtshoorn.
The weekend begins on Friday, 6 November, with an exclusive Gala Evening bringing together sponsors, stakeholders, government and industry leaders, media and invited guests.
Then, on Saturday, 7 November, the celebrations open to the public for the flagship Born to Be Wild event. From 15:00 to 22:00, Cango Wildlife will come alive with live music, entertainment, food vendors, exhibitors, family activities and experiences. Leftsleeve will take the stage as official MC, with Refentse headlining the entertainment programme.
Finally, Sunday, 8 November brings the celebration back to where so much of our story belongs: our community. Our Community Open Day will offer free entrance and an opportunity for families to share in this milestone together. A time capsule will also form part of the day, creating a physical link between the story we celebrate now and the generations who will inherit it.
But we cannot build a celebration of this scale alone | An Invitation to Partner With Us
As preparations gain momentum, Cango Wildlife is officially inviting sponsorship and partnership proposals from businesses, organisations and individuals who would like to become part of Born to Be Wild 1986.
We are not simply looking for logos on banners.
We are looking for partners who see value in aligning themselves with a story rooted in conservation, education, animal welfare, tourism and community.
Our partnership opportunities have deliberately been structured to accommodate organisations of different sizes and objectives. These include the exclusive Founding Legacy Partner, Conservation Champions, Wildlife Guardian Partners and Community Impact Partners, as well as opportunities for entertainment, photography, livestreaming, the VIP lounge, family activities, education, transport, the time capsule, printing and signage, food and beverage, technology and equipment. Custom and in-kind partnerships can also be developed around a brand's individual objectives and available resources.
That means partnership does not necessarily need to take the form of a traditional cash sponsorship.
Perhaps your business can provide a service. Perhaps you have equipment, printing capabilities, transport, technology, food and beverage products, entertainment or an experience that could contribute to the weekend. Perhaps there is an idea we have not considered yet.
The opportunity extends beyond the three days of the event.
Between May and June 2026 alone, Cango Wildlife's digital platforms generated more than 2.58 million people reached, 6.61 million content views and 90,800 profile and web visits, alongside significant audience growth. Born to Be Wild will also receive professional filming, digital coverage and livestream exposure, while partners can receive visibility through on-site branding, screens, signage, stage recognition and printed and digital material, depending on the partnership.
Partner visibility will also extend into high-traffic areas within Cango Wildlife, with anniversary opportunities running from November 2026 into January 2027.
More importantly, a portion of every partnership contribution will be allocated to the BOA Foundation NPC, supporting ongoing conservation, animal welfare, education and community initiatives. Qualifying contributions allocated to the Foundation can receive a Section 18A tax-deductible receipt. Sponsorship Proposal Cango Wild…
This is therefore not simply an opportunity to sponsor an event.
It is an opportunity to associate your organisation with something that has been built over four decades and is continuing to grow.
Be Part of the Next 40 Years | There is something powerful about reaching 40 years.
It gives us a reason to look back at where we started, acknowledge those who helped us get here and recognise how much has changed along the way.
But a milestone should also make you look forward.
What will conservation look like in another 40 years? Who will be leading it? What role will education, technology and communities play? And what can we build now that the next generation will one day inherit?
Those are questions Cango Wildlife intends to keep pursuing.
Born to Be Wild 1986 is our celebration of the first 40 years. It is also an invitation to help us begin the next 40.
If your business or organisation would like to explore a sponsorship, in-kind contribution, collaborative activation or completely customised partnership, we would love to start the conversation.
Partnership enquiries:
Anneke Lategan | Cango Wildlife
[email protected] | 044 272 5593 | 072 495 8187
Further Reading
Working with Sebastian and Iago, our two Blue-and-Gold Macaws, has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Although they are the same species, they could not be more different when it comes to their personalities, confidence and willingness to interact with me. This has made training them both incredibly interesting - and occasionally challenging!
Oudtshoorn is about to gain a new kind of neighbour: a working campus, built on sustainability principles, aimed squarely at the town's future workforce. On 1 September, Cango Wildlife will officially open its new Africa Skills Cango Academy site to an invite-only audience of civic and business leaders. Four days later, on 5 September, the doors open to the public for a community open day at 291 Adderley Street. Locals will be...














Share This Post