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History of the zoo |
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Lory Park animal and Owl sanctuary is little haven one would not expect
to find in the hustle and bustle between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Situtated in Midrand., it is a what many people like to call a boutique
zoo, a place where animals can be appreciated up close, where human and
animal interaction is welcomed, creating a personal and peaceful
atmosphere.
It all started in the small town of Beaufort west in the
Northern Cape where Edward Philippus Van Eck was born. Born as a first
child into a family of animal lovers and a father who was an ardent and
very successful pigeon racer, it was only natural that Eddy would grow
up with a strong affinity for nature and animals. Eddy spent his youth
mostly collecting pet creatures and cacti.
After finishing school in Beaufort West Eddy decided to move
to Johannesburg, and from here it was his interest and being the leader
of Cacti collections and competitive displays, that lead him to many
travels overseas. Having a keen interest in, and a large collection of
Parrots it also meant visiting zoos, sanctuaries and parks in many
places of the world. It was there that Eddy found his inspiration to
create a bird park in South Africa that would be similar to those in
Europe like for instance Loro Parque in Tenerife. Eddy took the huge
leap of retiring from his then successful construction company, Epeck
Construction and taking on the new venture of creating a beautiful bird
park in Midrand, which would have one of the largest collections of
Parrots in the Southern Africa, it was also important for him to
establish a sanctuary that would serve as a peaceful haven for the
community, an educational environment for children and a breeding
facility for endangered species.
After two years of hard work and dedication Lory Park was
ready to open its gates in April 2000. The new little haven never came
without its hardships, and it took some months before the name Lory Park
was known and respected. Thirteen years ago Midrand was still reasonably
unspoilt and consisted of much grassland which was still inhabited by
animals such as Grass owls , Marsh owls, Barn owls and Spotted Eagle
owls as well as mammals such as Duiker, Caracals, Mongoose, Jackals,
hedgehogs and many more. It was from here on that Midrand started
exploding into one of the fastest growing industrial and corporate areas
in South Africa, unfortunately with this came more roads, buildings and
a need for housing and development, and this in turn had a very negative
effect on the fauna and flora and of course the wildlife. It was then
that many people started bringing injured and trapped animals to Lory
Park, and often the case being where Eddy would also have to go and
collect potentially dangerous animals such as snakes, who previously
lived unnoticed and were now deemed vermin due to human encroachment.
Some of these animals were releasable in safe areas, but most were
severely injured due to cars, electric fences, human aggression, and
electricity lines, and could never be released. They were the animals
that needed a safe haven where they could live out their lives in peace
with love and care, and this is where Lory Park soon started becoming a
sanctuary to all, and not only a bird park
It was at this point that Eddy realized the need for
expansion and a greater contribution to educating the community on
conservation. During these efforts, Eddy also built a good rapport with
nature conservation, SPCA and NSPCA and thus was asked to home many
confiscated and abused animals. From there on Lory park is where it is
today, an internationally acclaimed zoo which has established a
successful co ordinance of animal care, education and community
recreation with the highest standards. Through his passion and love, for
animals and nature Eddy has created a beautiful haven in the middle of
the concrete jungle for animals and humans to share, a place where human
and animal souls may meet and go into the future together.
Source: official web of
Lory Park (2010)
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