Rising After the Floods - A Message from the Heart of Cango

Posted on Thu May 28, 2026.

When the floods came, they came without mercy.

What started as rain quickly turned into something the region was simply not prepared for. Water tore through the Klein Karoo with a force that felt impossible to stop. Roads disappeared overnight. Bridges collapsed, pathways and homes were swallowed by mud and raging water. Places filled with memories, hard work, and years of dedication were left broken in a matter of hours.

There were moments where all we could do was stand and watch helplessly.

Across Oudtshoorn and the surrounding region, families were cut off from one another. Farms were isolated. Businesses faced heartbreaking losses. Communities that have spent generations building their lives here suddenly found themselves fighting simply to get through the next day. The devastation reached far beyond damaged buildings - it reached into people’s hearts.

And here at Cango, it was no different.

From the moment the first severe weather warnings were issued, emergency evacuation procedures were already underway. Crates were prepared, vehicles were mobilised, and teams were placed on standby. In the early hours of the 6th, while the rain still seemed manageable, we made the decision to begin relocating vulnerable animals as a precaution. It was a decision that would prove critical in the hours that followed.

In the chaos, our team worked tirelessly through exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty to make sure every animal remained safe. There were sleepless nights, endless clean-up, and moments where the task ahead felt overwhelming. Looking around at the damage, it was difficult not to feel defeated.

But then something happened that reminded us who we are.

People showed up.

Not because they had to, but because they cared.

Messages flooded in from every corner of South Africa and beyond. People shared our story, checked in on our staff, asked about our animals, sent supplies, offered donations, and arrived with gumboots, shovels, food, water, and willing hands. Strangers stood shoulder to shoulder in the mud helping us pick up the pieces. In a time that felt incredibly dark, humanity showed itself in the most beautiful way.

We will never forget that.

The floods took so much from so many people, but they also revealed something powerful - the strength of a community that refuses to let one another fall. They reminded us that even when the water settles and the damage remains, hope can still survive in the kindness of others.

To every person who stood beside us during this time: thank you. Thank you for carrying us when we felt exhausted. Thank you for reminding us that we were never alone. And thank you for helping us believe that even after devastation, healing is possible.

Today, when we walk through the facility, we still see the scars the floods left behind. There are damaged structures, and reminders of just how close we came to losing so much. But alongside those scars, we also see something else, resilience.

Every single day, the facility grows stronger.

Through determination, long hours, and the unwavering support of our community, we are incredibly grateful to say that by the end of May, Cango is expected to be operating at approximately 90% capacity once again. The sounds of life have returned to the facility. Visitors are walking through our gates again, staff are smiling again, and despite everything we have endured, the heart of Cango continues to beat.

There are still areas that need time.

Some of the most severe damage affected the habitats of our flamingos and tiger, and for now, they are unfortunately still unable to return to their outdoor areas. We know how much guests love seeing them enjoy those spaces, but their safety and wellbeing will always come before anything else. These habitats will only reopen once every repair has been completed and we are fully confident that their spaces are secure and safe again.

Recovery is a strange thing. It is not only rebuilding walls, roads, or fences. It is rebuilding spirit. It is finding hope again after watching something you love nearly wash away.

That is why we decided to open a small window into this journey through our special Disaster Tours. These tours were not simply about seeing flood damage. They were about witnessing resilience firsthand - the resilience of the animals, the dedication of our staff, and the incredible compassion of the people who helped carry us through this disaster. Every visitor who joined these tours became part of our recovery story, helping support the continued restoration of the facility and the care of the animals who depend on us every day.

To everyone who stood beside us, supported us, prayed for us, shared our story, donated, volunteered, or simply believed that we would rise again - thank you. From every member of our staff, and from every animal in our care, thank you for helping us find hope in the middle of heartbreak.

 

Watch our flood diaries docuseries

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