A day at Lory Park – Gauteng photo story

15 December 2010

Lory Park is a rehabilitation centre and animal sanctuary located just outside Midrand. Although it opened its doors primarily as a bird park, the facility has grown to include over 100 animal species as the need for animal rehabilitation and preservation within Gauteng has increased.

Curator Eddy van Eck, the proud owner of the largest collection of lorikeets in the southern hemisphere, has made it his life mission to open proper avian facilities where the public and school children can view birds and learn about bird habitats.

The result is Lory Park, a ten-hectare site where all members of the public encounter a holistic learning experience. And now there are more than just birds. Over the years as human habitat has encroached on that of animals, rehabilitation facilities for cats and more exotic species have been built, growing the park’s popularity.

The one-legged salmon crested cockatoo is a firm favourite among the Lory Park birds. Photo courtesy Esti Janse van Rensburg

The sleek ocelot, with its beautiful markings, draws a lot of attention at the rehabilitation park. Salvador Dali was rumoured to have had one as a pet! Photo courtesy Esti Janse van Rensburg

Imagine a scene from Madagascar the movie - but this is the real thing! These South American lemurs look cute, but they are still wild animals. Photo courtesy Esti Janse van Rensburg

The rainbow lorikeet boasts a colourful plumage that is strikingly beautiful. Photo courtesy Esti Janse van Rensburg

Meerkats play in the dust at Lory Park as visitors encounter wild animals that are being rehabilitated and housed in the centre. Photo courtesy Esti Janse van Rensburg

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Photos courtesy Esti Janse van Rensburg