Last weekend, Naledi and Jessica joined me at World of Birds and Wildlife Sanctuary in Hout Bay, South Africa. Some of the animals are cute, some are exotic, some are just plain weird looking, but all of them are loved and taken care of at this animal sanctuary. Most are here because they’ve been injured. Some were pets at one time, but were later abandoned by their owners.
If you live in South Africa, I’ll bet you’d enjoy spending time here. Ask your parents to take you. Tell them it will be educational for you. You know it will also be interesting and fun!
This magnificent bird is the Grey Crowned Crane. It can be found in southern Africa, but there’s a declining population because of pesticides used on crops.
This lovely Cape Grysbok is a little antelope found only in the Western Cape of South Africa. If you live in this area but have never seen one don’t be surprised. It’s nocturnal. This one is here because it has a hurt leg.
This honey badger is eating raw chicken, and I wouldn’t bother it if I were you. It can be VICIOUS. In the wild, other animals run away when they see it coming because it will fearlessly attack – even young lions! It mostly eats other animals, but yes, it does love honey!
Just look at that bill. It’s got a “helmet” on top! This strange looking bird is a Trumpeter Hornbill, and is usually found in the forested areas of southern Africa.
This sleepy fellow is a porcupine. He’s nocturnal, so was not impressed by us stopping by for a visit in the middle of the day. Different species of porcupine are found in Africa, Europe and in North America. Its quills are lying flat for now, but won’t be for long if anyone disturbs its nap!
The cool thing about an Angulate Tortoise is that it can drink through its nose. Don’t you try it. People can’t! It’s natural home is South Africa.
Be sure to visit the enclosed area with the South American Squirrel Monkeys. These little trouble makers love to have people visit, but watch out because they’ll pick your pocket or grab food out of your hand. We saw one monkey grab a girl’s rubber hair band right off her head! Jessica and Naledi were a little worried about them at first, but the caretaker assured us they were friendly and used to people. The girls tucked their hands into their clothes and encouraged the monkeys to hop on. Naledi got a bit more than she expected from this rude little monkey!
Here’s your chance to vote. Is this Marabou Stork the ugliest bird you’ve ever seen?! It’s an ENORMOUS carnivore and scavenger, and often hangs out with vultures in southern Africa.
After you vote, watch this video of Greater Flamingos. Aren’t flamingo knees fascinating?! They work backwards! Just watch the way they walk, and the way the chicks kneel down!
Some of the flamingos at this sanctuary were rescued as little chicks from Namibia 25 years ago. The water dried up at their lake so the parents abandoned the eggs and the chicks that couldn’t fly. A person rescued them and eventually they were brought to this sanctuary for safety and a happy life. Flamingos can live more than 60 years.
Why DO people put plastic flamingos in their yard as an ornament?!
Come to World of Birds and Wildlife Sanctuary. You’re sure to have a wild time!
You’ll also learn lots about these fascinating animals. 
