Africa’s largest bird park, World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park, in Hout Bay, Western Cape, is facing a financial crisis.
The park needs R1m (€67 000) to continue operating through the next season. This follows the recent avian influenza outbreak where 500 birds were lost and visitor numbers decreased due to fears of contracting the disease.
World of Birds is looking at selling 4 000sqm of prime land, situated off Valley Road, to try and recoup this loss and keep the business afloat.
Manager and Co-owner of World of Birds, Hendrik Louw, says: “The sale of the land comes as we are faced with severe financial constraints, so the critical fund-raising initiative is to keep this vital landmark and bird sanctuary operational. This is the aftermath of the bird flu. Even though we’ve been clear of the disease over the last seven months, it’s a process to have the quarantine lifted.”
Louw quotes some reports that said humans could be affected by the outbreak, which resulted in a drop in numbers. “We’re not generating enough income and, with the economic decline, we are unfortunately now facing a financial crisis and are in dire need of funding.”
Should the park be shut down, 45 employees would lose their jobs and many of the animals could not be released into the wild. “We don’t know where they could be placed or if there are enough facilities that can take them,” said Louw.
The property has been put on the market, and around R2.5m (€168 500) is expected to be generated by the sale. Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde said the park was a popular tourist attraction, and a unique offering in the city. “As such, it plays a role in generating tourism revenues, as well as creating jobs.
“The development met with the park’s management earlier this year and, while the department cannot provide financial support, it can assist and guide the facility in developing a turnaround strategy, exploring new strategies to attract more visitors, and developing ways to generate additional revenue,” concluded Winde.
