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Situated 3km north of Oudtshoorn, Cango Wildlife last week experienced one of the most significant flooding events in its history.
As relentless rain continued, dam levels rose rapidly from the mid-70% range to full capacity before overflowing. Water levels across the property climbed steadily, while the Grobbelaars River surged with a force and volume comparable to the devastating 1996 floods still remembered in the region.
As conditions worsened, we activated our flood evacuation protocols well before peak flooding. Vulnerable animals were moved to higher ground and safer areas while teams worked around the clock to secure critical spaces across the facility.
By nightfall, the river had breached its banks by more than 60m in width and 4,5m in height, sending violent surges and debris downstream. Water overtopped our 2m perimeter wall and flooded more than half the property.
Throughout the night, staff remained onsite, conducting safety rounds every 20 minutes to monitor conditions and animal welfare.
Critical overnight incidents
At approximately one in the morning, during one of our rounds, we found that the wall surrounding Lemur Island had been completely washed away, along with a full 10 000-litre JoJo tank. Thankfully, the lemurs had already been evacuated earlier that afternoon.
Our flamingos, initially believed to be safe, became vulnerable as floodwaters intensified overnight. Early the next morning, all were accounted for, but shortly after a staff meeting, we received a report of one flamingo in neighbouring flooded river land. Our response team mobilised immediately. In a remarkable display of trust built through years of dedicated care, the flamingo approached our staff voluntarily and was safely recovered.
Evacuated animals are now being safely housed across our private reserve, animal care centre, veterinary facilities, and protected indoor spaces. While the full extent of the damage was still being assessed at the time of writing, every staff member and every animal remained safe.
While this disaster has severely affected our facility, it has also underscored the value of years of proactive planning and flood mitigation. Gabion systems, reinforced walkways and catwalks, strengthened barriers, strategic evacuation planning, and the unwavering dedication of our staff played a critical role in protecting both animal and human life.
From staff working through freezing rain and darkness to community members sharing critical river flow updates to neighbours helping divert floodwaters to the overwhelming support and messages from the public, the collective response has been deeply humbling.
Ongoing recovery and closure
As rainfall continues and recovery begins, we remain committed to acting responsibly and proactively while caring for our animals. We will remain temporarily closed to the public while assessment and recovery operations continue and river levels gradually subside.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to every individual, organisation, partner, and supporter who has reached out over the past 24 hours. This crisis is not over, but neither is our resolve.
Update: Thursday, 12 May
From the moment the flooding began, staff worked tirelessly day and night to evacuate animals from high-risk areas, monitor habitats around the clock, and begin an enormous recovery operation. Many of our animals remain in temporary housing while we restore damaged habitats and infrastructure across the facility.
Equally overwhelming has been the outpouring of support from our community. From people arriving in gumboots to help move mud and debris, to those bringing pancakes and meals for exhausted staff, the kindness shown to us has been deeply moving and sincerely appreciated. It has reminded us that in times of crisis, people truly do come together.
Another nerve-racking challenge arose when strong winds swept through an already saturated property with weakened trees and unstable ground. Thankfully, we sustained minimal additional damage. The following day, the rain returned, although only as light, intermittent showers.
The response to our fundraising campaign and flood recovery video has been tremendous, but we still have a long road ahead. The scale of the destruction is difficult to put into words and truly needs to be seen to be understood. Even so, our teams have not stopped for a moment; we are moving from one repair to the next as quickly as possible.
Why support matters now
Over 40 years of operation, we have welcomed millions of visitors through our gates, educating people about wildlife, conservation, and the importance of protecting natural environments. We have also supported the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of countless wild animals. While we have faced disasters before, it never ceases to amaze us how extraordinary people can be in difficult times.
Sadly, after a flash flood in 2024 caused damage, flood insurance was no longer available to us. We are now crowdfunding urgently to ensure this facility – and the conservation, education, and animal care work it represents – can continue for the next 40 years and beyond.
“We remain humble and grounded, albeit knee-deep in mud, and profoundly grateful for every message, donation, share, meal, helping hand, and act of kindness shown to us during this time.” – Tammy Moult, chief of staff, Cango Wildlife
WANT TO ASSIST?
For four decades, Cango Wildlife has served as a conservation, education, tourism, and employment pillar within the Klein Karoo. Beyond caring for hundreds of animals, our institution supports more than 160 staff members and their families and contributes significantly to regional tourism, conservation awareness, endangered-species work, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, research, and public education.
Every donation received will go directly toward:
- Flood recovery and cleanup operations
- Critical infrastructure repairs and rebuilding
- Animal care and emergency housing
- Veterinary and welfare support
- Long-term flood resilience improvements
If Cango Wildlife has ever meant something to you, your organisation, your family, or your community, we humbly ask you to support our recovery efforts or share this appeal.
For more detailed information on the flood and circumstances, and for access to the donation link, please click here: https://donorbox.org/cango-wildlife-flood-relief
If EFTs are preferred, the details are in the donor box link.
No contribution is too small, and every share makes a meaningful difference.
While this disaster has deeply impacted us, it has also revealed something extraordinary. The unity, compassion, resilience, and support shown by our staff, community, supporters, neighbours, and partners has been deeply humbling.
The crisis is not over yet, but neither is our resolve.
Thank you for standing with us during one of the most difficult moments in our history.
More photos can be seen via this link of staff and animals in temporary housing: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1txh7hECE-qMM6FrnnPXP3vlGFM_Vtrvo?usp=sharing
