Whether it’s a common sparrow or the endangered Cape vulture, the World of Birds wildlife sanctuary has served as a home for thousands of creatures, birds as well as animals. But after nearly 40 years, the sanctuary may face closure for economic reasons.
The sanctuary’s lush gardens and trees have been home to more than 200 species of birds and more than 3 000 animals ranging from cheeky monkeys to playful meerkats for the past 38 years. Hundreds of injured birds have found a home there.
The Hout Bay sanctuary has provided a place where children and adults alike can see and interact with animals they might not otherwise see. From the rare and mysterious grass owl, “Augustus”, to an odd and protective friendship between a porcupine and a dassie sharing an enclosure, there are sights that can only be observed at the sanctuary.
Among the star attractions are the monkeys, who leap from tree to tree and are more than willing to get up close and personal with visitors in exchange for some popcorn or their favourite treat, raisins.
But the rising costs of maintaining the World of Birds are taking their toll. The sanctuary is currently R1.3 million in debt and may face closure after Easter if it cannot find financial support soon.
Recent years have seen a significant decline in the number of visitors, down from 100 000 to 70 000 a year, at the same time that feed and maintenance costs have been rising.
The 8ha sanctuary requires R500 000 a month to operate. This includes staff salaries, food for the animals, regular upkeep of their enclosures and health-care needs.
Some of the funding goes to the breeding of endangered animals such as the Cape vulture, seven of which live at the sanctuary. Many of the creatures have special needs because of injuries and could not survive in the wild.
The World of Birds receives no provincial or municipal funding and no corporate sponsorship. It relies on individual donations, some bequests, and gate takings.
The financial crisis has forced sanctuary owner Walter Mangold to cut staff, begin charging an entrance fee for the park and mortgage his own home to keep the sanctuary going.
But even with debt mounting, the World of Birds continues to take in stray and injured animals. More than 200 such animals are brought in each month.
“We care for each and every animal here, regardless of where they came from. These animals should not be condemned to death because they’re injured – they should be able to live their lives and that’s what we’re giving them,” said Mangold.
Many of the birds, in particular owls, are brought in after being in car accidents. Most are unable to fly and others are blind in one or both eyes.
While they are in kept in enclosures, the birds still move about freely and enjoy a high quality of life.
While ordinarily these birds would be put down, Mangold believes that if the animal can be given quality of life then it should be allowed to live, a contrast to the SPCA’s policy, in which animals should be put down if they are injured and cannot be cared for.
World of Birds has approached the SPCA for help, but its contrasting views on euthanasia mean there has not been a meeting of minds. In the meantime, the sanctuary has started proceedings to become an NGO to help cut costs.
Mangold said he would not even consider the prospect of the sanctuary shutting down and was convinced help would be found soon.
“We are not just a park for animals, the sanctuary is their home. We’ve been providing a service to the community for the past 38 years and hope we will be rewarded by being able to save the park and continue to provide a home for these animals.”
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