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...
Our Bossy Feathered Supervisor

If you’ve ever wandered into our Valley of Ancients Temple, chances are you’ve already met Boo, our African Grey Parrot with a personality far bigger than his wingspan. According to one of his devoted caregivers, Pippa Fourie, “Boo is the friendliest little chap. He will always come over to say hi. He loves his head scratches and believes the world turns for him, which it does. It’s his world, we just live here.”
Boo is more than a parrot. He’s the ultimate supervisor. Whenever work is being done in the temple, Boo insists on being involved. But there’s a catch: before anything gets done, he demands his scratches first. Only then does he allow the humans to carry on with their tasks. With his confident attitude and undeniable charm, Boo embodies the spirit of African Greys, intelligent, social, and full of character.
African Greys are widely regarded as the most intelligent parrot species. Studies show they can develop vocabularies of over 200 words and even understand concepts like shapes, colors, and numbers.
They are natural mimics, often imitating the voices, sounds, and even laughter of their human companions with uncanny accuracy. In the wild, African Greys are found in the rainforests of West and Central Africa. Their diet includes fruits, seeds, nuts, and leafy matter.
Sadly, they are endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. Their popularity as companion birds has led to significant declines in wild populations.
At Cango Wildlife Ranch, Boo serves a different purpose. He is more than an ambassador for his species. He is a living reminder of the importance of conservation. His charm draws people in, but his presence tells a bigger story: one about protecting parrots in the wild and ensuring future generations get to meet them too.
For now, Boo is perfectly happy ruling his temple, soaking up scratches, and reminding us daily that sometimes the loudest voices come in the smallest packages.
Further Reading
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.










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