06/09/2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗦
If you spend time at Jukani, you’ll probably see Isabel walking the paths, checking on the animals, inspecting the fences and making sure everything is as it should be.
And chances are, the animals will be watching her too.
Isabel first began working with the sanctuaries when Birds of Eden opened. After several years, she left in 2007, returning in 2016 to work across Birds of Eden, Monkeyland and Jukani.
With a background in Nature Conservation and many years of experience, Isabel knows there is always more to learn.
A big part of her job is observing. Every animal is different, from their favourite foods to their habits and personalities.
Take Buks, Jukani’s honey badger. He loves showing off and has a favourite tyre that he carries around and plays with. When he’s finished, he carefully places it back against the tree.
Buks has never tried to escape. Why would he? He has space, enrichment and an environment where he can see what’s happening around him.
For Isabel, providing animals with the best possible retirement in natural surroundings is at the heart of Jukani’s work.
Some animals arrive from heartbreaking conditions. Isabel remembers one rooikat that had been kept in a cage measuring just 2 by 1 metres. It had become so restricted that it could barely walk.
Animals like this need time, patience and specialised care to adapt to a new life.
Isabel isn’t just caring for animals. She observes them, learns from them and makes sure their individual needs are understood.
After all these years, she is still learning.
And when she isn’t checking on the animals?
You’ll probably find Isabel with a coffee in hand.
