City Zoo Haven for Rare Species. (9 November, 1996)

The Pretoria Zoo hopes to round off 1996 as a respected force on the international wildlife conservation scene. Director Willie Labuschagne said in an interview yesterday the zoo kept some of the world's most endangered animals, birds and reptiles. These included the black-faced impala, one collection of a world population of less than 1 000 animals worldwide. The zoo also became the first in the world to breed a Knysna turtle hatchling in artificial seawater at the aquarium. He said this year the zoo transferred 165 mammals and birds to Belgium, France, Germany, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US, Australia, Israel, Hong Kong, Botswana, England and Northern Ireland.

Reviewing the events of the year, Mr Labuschagne recalled the stormy night of January 17 when the Apies River burst its banks and flooded the farmyard, drowning a number of animals. He said a certificate of commendation would be given to zoo-keeper Brendan Boyce, who single-handedly saved the lives of 53 animals from drowning. Staff Reporter. Courtesy of the Pretoria News.