Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary

08/01/2026

24/12/2025

03/12/2025

🔥 Meet Frenchie the "Pink Lady" Tortoise 💗🐢

Frenchie arrived in our care after bravely surviving a devastating veld fire. When she came in, her condition was critical — her burns required intensive treatment as she had lost her entire outer shell and her legs were badly burnt. We struggled to get her to eat or show interest in the little things tortoises normally love.

Thanks to dedicated veterinary care, keeper love and a whole lot of patience, Frenchie has made an incredible turnaround. She’s now eating up a storm, spending her days exploring the outdoors, and has settled beautifully into her new home.

Today, our “pink lady” is not just a survivor — she’s an ambassador for her species. Frenchie will play an important role in educating our community about the dangers of uncontrolled fires and the impact they have on wildlife.

We’re so proud of her progress and honoured to share her journey. 💗🔥🐢

17/10/2025

🐾 Big Day at Lory Park Zoo! 🦁
Yesterday was a very special day for our animal family! 💛

Our lion and tiger cubs have officially moved into their new enclosures as they continue to grow — and grow quickly! Be sure to come and see how much they’ve changed since your last visit.

We’re also excited to share that Riley, our curious bat-eared fox, has moved onto public display! 🦊 Pop by and say hello to this adorable little character.

And lastly, we’d like to honour Amber, our beloved 18-year-old lioness, who has now gone into a well-deserved retirement in our off-exhibit area. Amber has been an incredible ambassador for her species, touching countless hearts over the years. She’ll now enjoy her golden years in peace and comfort under the care of our dedicated team. ❤️

Every stage of life is precious, and we’re proud to give each of our animals the best care possible. Thank you for continuing to support and celebrate them with us!

23/09/2025

Join us tomorrow for a fun filled Heritage day!! Let's come together and celebrate our wildlife blessings, and the love of our diverse and beautiful country🇿🇦

06/09/2025

🦅🌍 Today is International Vulture Awareness Day!

Vultures may not always get the love that lions or elephants do, but they are some of the most important animals in our ecosystems. These incredible birds act as nature’s clean-up crew, preventing the spread of disease by disposing of carcasses quickly and efficiently.

Sadly, vultures are among the most threatened bird species in Africa. ⚠️ They face serious challenges such as:
❌ Poisoning (intentional and accidental)
❌ Habitat loss
❌ Collisions with power lines
❌ Declining food sources

At Lory Park, we’re proud to celebrate these misunderstood heroes of the sky. Through education, conservation partnerships, and public awareness, we aim to highlight their importance and inspire action to protect them.

💛 This International Vulture Awareness Day, we encourage you to:
✔️ Learn more about vultures and why they matter
✔️ Support conservation projects working to protect them
✔️ Help us change perceptions — vultures are vital, not villains!

10/08/2025

🦁🌍
Today we celebrate the African lion – an icon of strength, beauty, and the wild. But behind the roar lies a story that needs our voices.

In South Africa, lions face growing threats:
⚠️ Habitat loss – Expanding human settlements and farmland are shrinking their territories.
⚠️ Human-wildlife conflict – Lions are often killed when they prey on livestock.
⚠️ Poaching & illegal trade – Lions are targeted for their bones, skins, and other body parts.

At Lory Park, we believe conservation begins with awareness. By educating our visitors about these challenges, supporting field conservation projects, and inspiring respect for wildlife, we can help secure a future for lions in the wild.

🦁 This International Lion Day, take action:
✅ Learn about the issues lions face
✅ Support ethical conservation efforts
✅ Speak out against exploitation

Together, we can make sure the roar of the lion is heard for generations to come. 💛

24/07/2025

🐾♥️Bailey 12 November 2008 - 15 July 2025♥️🐾

"How do i begin this story?" Was my question to Kara and she replied: " I dont know....words are not adequate " How very right you are Kara.....

Even if I were to write a trillion words today, they could never convey what is in our hearts... One of the purest , funniest , most beautiful souls has left this earth and with her she has taken a big chunk of our souls💔

Bailey (Wonky Tonky) Van Eck - You my dearest girl have left paw prints that measure beyond any understanding, you honestly were just too good to be true, something quite undescribable, but i will try to share your light as best I can.

12 Nov 2008, a cold wet morning after a night of thunderous storms, a first time Puma mom " Lara" had given birth to a litter of 3. The weather and being inexperienced could have been the reason why she left them and never removed the amniotic sac. When the keepers found them in the morning they were cold and almost lifeless. After removing the amniotic sac, some warmth and rigorous rubbing, 3 little miracles came to life. The detailed story about this journey is on our website, under "My story"

Out of the three cubs, Bailey was affected the most due to loss of oxygen for too long at birth and she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

This was after 3 months of nurturing you, caring for you and your siblings, but you my darling girl were different but not less..... and I could not cut your life short as you had already shown such will to live, such tenacity and energy. I had to give you a chance, and that decision was one of the most remarkable decisions I have ever made. The journey that we were about to embark on was life changing, it was more than I could ever have wished. Your life Bailey, has been a treasure cove of teaching, loving, understanding and the purest joy imaginable♥️. Your zest for life and eagerness in spite of your short comings made me see the world in a whole new light, not just me..... many others have been lit up by your flame, your beautiful light my angel♥️

For 16 years we have been blessed with a character like no other. I wish I could let everyone see you through my eyes, because I don't know how to describe the fullness of you as a being... There is no way I can do you the honour you deserve with words, only those who met you would truly understand.

I can only thank you and our Heavenly Father for the greatest and most cherished gift anyone could ever have. You dear Bailey changed me, you made me better, you made me see the world through different eyes, you humbled me.......with you I experienced the deepest joy possible. You lived each day like a child beneath a Christmas tree, always excited, always curious and very sassy indeed. Gosh! there wasn't a day that went by that you didn't make us smile or even laugh till our tummies hurt. And then days where you were soft, loving and ever purring and wisdom flowed from you in streams of light.

Bailey you understood so well the love you received, each person that met you was instantly touched by your beautiful soul. I know you loved them too, they felt your love....each and every one...You are unforgettable, you are adored, you are irreplaceable, you are a miracle and we are all blessed beyond measure to have known you♥️ How we miss you, the empty space is hard to perceive 💔.

The last hours of your life, laying on my lap confirmed for me in the deepest way possible, that you loved us dearly and we were your safe place.......and that my angel girl is the greatest privilege bestowed upon any human being 🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻

Yet we cannot take all the glory for loving you, there is another who has loved you, protected you, consoled you, she has been your greatest and most loyal companion.... your sister Baruk. We thank her and cherish her for being the best sister ever. Her goodbye to you was immensely sad, but also beautiful and it showed true love between two cats. We promise to love her and keep her well and happy and make sure she still gets her " Bailey" treats in between- Thank you darling Baruk🐾♥️🐾

I love you Bailey......we love you....eternally and we look forward to being with you again. And even though it is said there will be no pain, no disease, as perfect as you will be, you will always have a special spring in your step and that is how we will know you♥️

Live on as the bright shining star that you are ... heaven is celebrating you...... that I know💫💫💫

We love you Bailey Bum♥️🐾♥️

16/06/2025

🐾🎉 Celebrate Youth Day at the Zoo! 🎉🐾

Join us for a wildly fun day out as we celebrate Youth Day with exciting activities for all ages! 🦁🦉 Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable experience connecting with nature and some of the world’s most incredible animals.

🗓️ Programme for the Day:

🕚 11:00 – Flying Owls Show 🦉
Be amazed as our magnificent owls!

🕛 12:00 – Big Cat Enrichment 🐯
Watch our big cats engage with fun challenges designed to stimulate their wild instincts.

🕑 14:00 – Flying Owls Show (Encore) 🦉
Missed the morning show? Catch the owls again in action!

🕒 15:00 – Big Cat Feeding Time 🐆
See the power and beauty of our big cats up close during their feeding session.

🌿 It’s a day full of excitement, education, and entertainment for kids and adults alike. Let’s make memories together this Youth Day!

15/06/2025

Happy Father's Day💙🩵💙. To all the fathers out there, to the granddads, stepdads, fur and feather dads, and the dads who live on in our memories 💙🩵💙.