There are a number of wildlife centres on the Garden Route between Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. On the way to Port Elizabeth, I have time to visit two of them – Tenikwa Wildlife Centre and Birds of Eden.
Tenikwa Wildlife Centre is also a rehabilitation centre for injured wildlife. Gate takings from visitors to the awareness centre are used to fund the rehabilitation program. The awareness centre has a leopard, caracals, servals and 6 cheetah that have been acquired from breeding programs, which form part of the awareness program.
Tenikwa is an excellent centre to visit to get a better understanding of the plight of South Africa’s wildlife. The African Penguin for example, is down to approximately 26,000 pairs, a decrease of 80% over the last 5 years. The centre houses 3 or 4 penguins that will be in care for the rest of their lives as a result of injuries they have received.
Tenikwa also house surrendered wildlife that have been kept as pets. Their meerkat and tortoise population have been kept by people as pets and later surrendered.
Birds of Eden is also a terrific facility that accepts exotic pet birds that have been surrendered, such as macaws, in addition to native birds that need rehabilitation. Billed as the largest free-flight aviary, it certainly delivers with birds able to fly in flocks around the facility.
Plettenberg Bay is a good base to visit these wildlife centres, in addition to the elephant sanctuary and Monkeyland, and I wish I had an extra day to spend at the others, but I must get to Port Elizabeth tonight to be in good time for my flights home tomorrow.
