A special festive baby boom at Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn

A wave of new life has swept through Cango Wildlife Ranch this festive season, with a remarkable number of animal births recorded over the past month including cheetah cubs and two Rainbow Lorikeet chicks, to name a few. 

As Christmas approaches, the Oudtshoorn-based sanctuary is celebrating not only these heart-warming arrivals, but also a series of rescues and ongoing rehabilitation efforts that embody the true spirit of the season. 

Each new life serves as a powerful reminder that renewal and hope lie at the heart of the holidays.

The most significant arrival came on 18 November, when beautiful Uzuri, a six-year-old cheetah, gave birth to three healthy cubs. This birth holds special importance for global cheetah conservation, as Uzuri’s bloodline forms part of carefully managed international breeding programmes designed to protect genetic diversity in a species facing continued decline.

“The cubs have been named Afrika, Aston, and Amandla, and while they are still very young, their individual personalities are already beginning to shine through. Afrika, a female cub, is the most outspoken of the trio. Busy, curious, and full of confidence, she has quickly earned a reputation as a sassy little character who always seems to swim upstream. Her name honours the continent that shaped the cheetah and reflects resilience, independence, and strength. 

“Aston, also female, is the gentle heart of the group. Soft natured and affectionate, she is a true sweetheart, often calmer and more settled than her siblings. Her name, meaning awe inspiring and remarkable, reflects the quiet strength and grace that female cheetahs bring to the future of the species. Amandla, the only male cub, is already known as the big softy. Relaxed, calm, and content to go with the flow, he is often the one sleeping peacefully while his sisters make their opinions known. ”

In the aviaries, the joy of new life continues as two Rainbow Lorikeet chicks have recently hatched. Currently, these tiny hatchlings remain safely tucked in their nest box, nurtured by their attentive parents. Keepers at Cango Wildlife are prioritising a hands-off approach during this crucial development phase to avoid disrupting the delicate balance of the nesting environment.

Owl season arrived slightly later than usual this year, bringing four young owls into care. Two arrived in October and two in November - three Spotted Eagle Owls and one Barn Owl.

All four were between three and four weeks and were found grounded in various parts of Greater Oudtshoorn. Still too young to fly or survive on their own, they were rescued by members of the public and brought to Cango Wildlife for rehabilitation.

Among the most delicate rescues this season was a Cape Serotine bat brought in on 1 December after being carried into a home by a cat. Even the smallest puncture wound from a cat can be fatal due to bacteria, making immediate intervention critical.

The bat weighed just one gram on arrival and was extremely weak. Care began with rehydration followed by specialised bat milk formula fed every two hours around the clock. Kept warm and closely monitored, the bat gained strength rapidly.

Now weighing eight grams, he feeds every four to five hours and has begun eating small amounts of mealworm gut. In the coming weeks, he will begin practicing flight. Arrangements are underway with CapeNature and other rehabilitation facilities to ensure he can move to a centre with larger flight areas once ready. Until then, he remains safely in our care.

“Rounding off this season of new beginnings are some cheerful additions to the ranch’s refreshed Farmyard section. Six young Silkie chickens have arrived and are already a pure delight to watch as they learn to dig and forage in their new home. They will soon share a mixed exhibit with six Netherland Dwarf Rabbits, whose gentle presence adds charm and warmth to the space. These beautiful farm animals can be seen alongside our sheep, Sage and Rosemary, in the enclosure located next to the newly opened Boa Cafe.

“Boa Cafe, recognised by its striking snake art feature, carries a deeper meaning. The name stands for “because of animals”, a simple phrase that reflects the very heartbeat of everything we do. Every rescue, every birth, and every second chance exists because of animals and the responsibility we carry to care for them,” Cango Wildlife said. 

Cape Times