Animal Enrichment Workshop, Western Cape

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre at Plettenberg Bay hosted the Western Cape Shape of Enrichment Workshop.  27 enthusiastic delegates from all over the Western Cape arrived on 8th September 2008 to be inspired by Valerie Hare.

With delegates as diverse as keepers in the traditional sense of the word, to Cape Nature officials, Plett Seabird Rescue staff and the SPCA,  the course was set to be somewhat unusual.

Our African Rain Bird!  When he calls, we know rain is on the way. Poor fellow fell out of his nest and some dogs thought they would play with him. He is in fair condition now but his leg is badly injured and he is unable to regain full use of it.  At the moment, we have him in an aviary, learning how to get along with his disability.  He is doing well however, we have made the decision to transfer the Coucal to Birds of Eden to live out his life safely in their vast aviary.  The reason for this was two-old - firstly because of his malformed leg, and secondly because he is too accepting of humans, and this may lead to him being caught by dogs again once released.