National Zoological Garden

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

🦛Adopt a Wild Child 🐾

Ever dreamed of making a real difference in wildlife conservation? Now you can! By adopting an animal at the National Zoological Garden, you directly support the care and wellbeing of our incredible species.
Adoption packages start from just R150 per year (depending on the animal).
What you’ll receive:
• Free entrance tickets to the zoo
• A personalised certificate of adoption
• For adoptions of R1 500 or more:
– Your name or organisation featured ליד your adopted animal’s enclosure
– The opportunity to name your adopted animal
From majestic lions to fascinating reptiles, there’s a wild child waiting just for you!
For more information: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

05/09/2026

🦅 CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY! 🦅

Join us at the National Zoological Garden of South Africa (NZG) on Saturday, 5 September 2026, as we celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day! 🌍

Our Bird Section team, in collaboration with the Biodiversity Education and Public Engagement (BEPE) team, will be hosting an educational display next to the large Cape Vulture aviary.

Visitors can:
🦅 Discover fascinating facts about vultures
🌱 Learn why vultures are vital to healthy ecosystems
🔎 Find out more about vulture conservation at NZG
🍖 Experience a special enrichment session inspired by the natural feeding behaviours of vultures in the wild

And did you know? 🤔

The National Zoological Garden has successfully produced viable Cape Vulture chicks for release back into the wild, while also contributing to a sustainable captive population. This forms an important part of ongoing vulture conservation efforts.

Come learn, discover and celebrate these incredible guardians of the skies with us! 💚

04/09/2026

📍Heart of Africa

03/09/2026

SOUTH AFRICA TO HOST HISTORIC WAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN 2027 🌍

South Africa is making WAZA history.

From 17–21 October 2027, the global zoo and aquarium community will gather in Cape Town for the 82nd World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Annual Conference.

For the first time in WAZA Annual Conference history, every institutional member in a host country has united behind a single national bid. The conference also marks WAZA’s return to the African continent after 28 years.

Cango Wildlife and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo will serve as hosts and coordinators, joined by Two Oceans Aquarium, uShaka Sea World (SAAMBR) and the National Zoological Garden of South Africa (SANBI).

Founded in 1935, WAZA is the global alliance of leading zoos, aquariums, regional associations and national federations committed to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats, representing nearly 400 institutions and organisations worldwide.

The 2027 conference will place South Africa’s conservation expertise, biodiversity, animal welfare, research and environmental education firmly on the global stage.

As WAZA CEO Martín Zordan said:

“The conference may take place in Cape Town, but its perspective, its expertise and its welcome will come from across South Africa.”

This is more than a conference. It is a historic moment for South Africa’s zoological and conservation community, and an opportunity to show the world what can be achieved when we stand together with a shared purpose. 🇿🇦🌍

📍 Cape Town, South Africa
📅 17–21 October 2027

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE: FAKE PRETORIA ZOO ADVERTISEMENT 🚨

Please be aware of a fake advertisement circulating on social media claiming to offer a “7-Day Pretoria Zoo Unlimited Pass.”

❌ This advertisement is NOT from the National Zoological Garden (Pretoria Zoo) or SANBI.
❌ The 7-Day Pretoria Zoo Unlimited Pass shown in the advertisement is not an official NZG/SANBI product.

We urge the public not to click on links, make payments or provide personal information through this advertisement.

✅ For official information about National Zoological Garden tickets, memberships and experiences, please use only our official communication channels.

Please help us protect our visitors and community by sharing this warning. 🙏

03/09/2026

Can you ID? 🤔

02/09/2026

🌳💚 CELEBRATING NATIONAL ARBOR WEEK 2026! 💚🌳

This National Arbor Week, we celebrate the incredible trees that form an essential part of South Africa’s rich biodiversity. 🌿

🌳 2026 Tree of the Year: Wild Olive
Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata

Also known as olienhout, mohlware, molthware, muthwari and umnquma, the Wild Olive is a hardy indigenous tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall and occasionally reach 18 metres. It provides valuable benefits to biodiversity, including attracting birds and insects, while its drought and frost resistance make it well adapted to challenging conditions. 🐦🐝

🌱 This Arbor Week, let’s appreciate, protect and plant trees for a healthier environment and a greener future.

Trees are more than just plants — they are homes, habitats, food sources and vital parts of our ecosystems.