Cango Wildlife Ranch Devastated by Floods as Staff Save Over 300 Animals

South Africans are rallying behind Cango Wildlife Ranch after devastating floods left the conservation facility fighting to rebuild. The Oudtshoorn institution, which has spent over four decades protecting endangered species... The post Cango Wildlife Ranch Devastated by Floods as Staff Save Over 300 Animals appeared first on Good Things Guy.

May 13, 2026 - 06:12

Cango Wildlife Ranch Devastated by Floods as Staff Save Over 300 Animals

South Africans are rallying behind Cango Wildlife Ranch after devastating floods left the conservation facility fighting to rebuild. The Oudtshoorn institution, which has spent over four decades protecting endangered species and educating children, is now facing millions in damages after historic flooding swept through the property.

Oudtshoorn, South Africa (13 May 2026) – Floodwater recently ripped through Cango Wildlife Ranch with a force the team says they have not seen since the historic 1996 floods. Enclosures were submerged, walls were destroyed and emergency evacuations carried on through the night as staff worked in darkness and rising water to protect over 300 animals.

And somehow, through all the chaos, not a single animal was lost.

Following an Orange Level 8 weather warning issued by the South African Weather Service, relentless rain caused dam levels to surge before overflowing, while the Grobbelaars River tore through the area with extraordinary force, eventually breaching the ranch’s perimeter walls and flooding more than half the property.

For over 40 years, Cango Wildlife Ranch has been far more than a tourist attraction. The conservation institution has become one of the region’s most important wildlife education and breeding facilities, helping protect endangered species while educating thousands of children every year. It is also home to 160 staff members from the local community, many of whom have dedicated years of their lives to caring for the animals housed there.

And recently, those same staff members became heroes.

As conditions worsened, emergency flood evacuation plans were activated long before peak flooding arrived. Vulnerable animals were moved to higher ground, temporary habitats and protected indoor spaces across the reserve, veterinary centre and animal care facilities while teams worked through torrential rain and dangerous conditions to secure as much of the property as possible. Throughout the night, staff remained onsite conducting safety checks every 20 minutes while monitoring infrastructure and animal welfare.

By the early hours of the morning, the scale of the destruction became terrifyingly clear. The wall surrounding Lemur Island had been completely washed away alongside a 10,000-litre JoJo tank swept downstream by the floodwaters. Thankfully, the lemurs had already been evacuated earlier that afternoon.

“We are not a corporate attraction. We are a living, working home for over 300 animals… and right now, those animals need your help,” the team shared in an emotional appeal.

While every animal and staff member survived, the damage left behind is immense. After devastating flooding in 2024 caused R4.5 million in damage, flood insurance was removed entirely from the table for the facility. Since then, the ranch has invested heavily into reinforced barriers, drainage systems, flood-mitigation infrastructure, and emergency-preparedness plans to reduce future risks. Those efforts undoubtedly protected lives during this disaster but they could not stop the destruction completely.

Cango Wildlife Ranch is now facing approximately R2.5 million in losses and damage while remaining temporarily closed to the public.

“Our animals still need to eat. They still need veterinary attention. They still need their carers showing up every single day… flood or no flood,” the team explained.

Funds raised will go towards critical infrastructure repairs, flood recovery operations, emergency animal housing, veterinary support and animal feed while the facility rebuilds.

Speaking about the devastation, CEO Douglas Eriksen shared just how personal this loss feels.

“This facility was built by my parents. I grew up here. I watched this team carry it through COVID, through the loss of our founder, through floods and fires and every crisis the Klein Karoo could throw at us. They never quit. Not once.

To see it like this – closed, damaged, our animals in temporary shelters, our gates locked – is heartbreaking in a way I don’t have adequate words for.

Cango Wildlife is not just a conservation facility. It is 40 years of my family’s life. It is the livelihoods of 160 people who show up every single day because they love this place and the animals in their care. It is a cornerstone of this community and of South African conservation. It belongs to all of us.”

And while the road ahead is still incredibly long, something extraordinary has emerged from the mud and destruction.

South Africans have shown up.

Speaking to Good Things Guy, Tammy Moult, Chief of Staff at Cango Wildlife Ranch, said the support pouring in from the public has been deeply emotional for the team.

“The past few days have once again reminded us just how extraordinary our team truly is. From the moment the flooding began, staff worked tirelessly through the day and night to evacuate animals from high-risk areas, monitor habitats around the clock, and begin what has become an enormous recovery operation.

Yesterday brought another nerve-wracking challenge as strong winds swept through an already saturated property with weakened trees and unstable ground conditions. Thankfully, we experienced minimal additional damage. Today, the rain has started again, although thankfully, only light intermittent rainfall is expected over the next day or two. At this point, we are joking that perhaps it might even help move some of the mud.”

Tammy explained that many animals remain in temporary housing while teams continue restoring damaged habitats and infrastructure, but despite exhaustion and difficult conditions, the staff have not stopped moving from one repair to the next.

“What has been equally overwhelming has been the outpouring of support from our community. From people arriving in gumboots to help move mud and debris, to those bringing pancakes and meals for exhausted staff, the kindness shown to us has been incredibly emotional and deeply appreciated. It has reminded us that in times of crisis, people truly do come together.

The response to our fundraising campaign and flood recovery video has been tremendous, but we still have a very long road ahead. The scale of the destruction is difficult to put into words and truly needs to be seen to be understood. Despite this, our teams have not stopped for a moment. We are moving from one repair to the next as quickly as possible.

Throughout our 40 years of operation, we have welcomed literally millions of visitors through our gates, educating people about wildlife, conservation, and the importance of protecting wild environments. We have assisted with rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts for countless wild animals over the years, and while we have faced disasters before, it never ceases to amaze us how extraordinary people can be during difficult times.

We remain humble and grounded, albeit knee deep in mud, and profoundly grateful for every message, donation, share, meal, helping hand, and act of kindness shown to us during this time.”

Already, more than R250,000 has been raised towards the ranch’s R2.5 million goal, with donations, volunteer efforts, meals and messages of support arriving from across the country. The community is standing shoulder to shoulder with them. And after 40 years of giving South Africans a place to connect with wildlife, conservation and wonder, people are now doing everything they can to help Cango Wildlife Ranch find its feet again.