By Robynn Moller
In 2025 Dave Morgan though Wild Wildlife offered to sponsor the flights of the Director and the Animal Welfare Field Manager of Wild Welfare to South Africa to perform a workshop. SAAKA is are proud to announce that it occurred and that it was a hit! As a Partner with Wild Welfare SAAKA are committed to offering more workshops and experiences to their members.
As such, between 7th and the 10th September 2026, amazing people arrived in the rain into the lives of 37 South African delegates at Lory Park Zoo. Sarah Bonser-Blake and Simon Marsh from Wild Welfare UK, joined Ryne Ferguson and his team to create an unforgettable experience.
The four days were a whirlwind of information overload and inspiration. Day One was focused on welfare concepts and throughout the few days those concepts were driven into record keeping, nutrition, behaviour, exhibit design and management and of course enrichment.
Simon and Sarah provided a practical and lively presentations based on the online welfare course https://wildwelfare.org/resources-elearn-programme/ which is a must for anyone working with animals in a captive setting. This course was broken down, and with a few practicals made relevant to the delegates that attended.
Delegates learnt how to assess behaviour at the rainbow lorikeets, how to do body scoring at the ring tailed lemurs. They did a mini activity and learnt how to evaluate enrichment at the lions and spotted eagle owls. To finally on the final day doing a practical full welfare assessment for the green iguana, palm nut vulture, caracal and crested gibbons.
In summary, it is important for SAAKA to create opportunities for professional animal care givers to network and have access to new knowledge. As part of SAAKA’s core mandate the four days did exactly that.
The workshop had people from various areas of the industry and community converge. From volunteers to nutritionist this workshop was a hit. Johannesburg Zoo, Hoedspruit Reptile Centre, National Zoo (City and Mokopane), Cango Wildlife Ranch, Kruger National Park (Boma staff), Anderson Wildlife, Monte Casino Bird Gardens, Lory Park Zoo to even a few Conservation Students. Of the 37 delegates, 17 were SAAKA Members, 5 being Committee Members.
The evenings were had around the bonfire or playing games in the lapa with dinners that varied from home made pizza to mushroom burgers. All round a good time with Sarah, Simon and Ryne telling stories and making us all laugh out loud.
Thank you goes to;
- Traci Wright from Jozi Fairy for the care and attention to the delegates that stayed overnight. The dinners and breakfasts and cleaning up in between.
- Conor Fincham for the management of the finances and payment methods.
- Ryne Ferguson for planning and implementing the event.
- Donn Ingle for the website and coordination with Ryne and Conor on the delegate registrations.
- Dave Morgan from Wild Welfare for sponsoring Simon and Sarah to South Africa for the few days.
- To Kara Heynis from Lory Park Zoo for offering up her facility up as a resource, the venue for the few days and the incredible on-property accommodation that can house 30 people.
- Thanks also goes to the Busy Beak Cafe for the super lunches.
More Quotes to join (I hope)
‘Kruger team made it safe home, thank you all for the amazing experience. We really had fun and made lots of connections. We have learnt a lot to and will pay more attention to the animals under our care. We look forward to attending more of these workshops and be well informed. To Simon and Sarah, thank you for all the knowledge you have shared with us. It was made easy to understand and very informative. The activities were fun. To Robynn and Ryne you were amazing and we really appreciate your support and hard work. To Traci Theeee Master Chef, thank you for all the treats. We enjoyed your meals.’ Caroline Mathuvela, Kruger National Park Boma Supervisor.
