Pretoria Zoo remains in dilapidated state despite completion of nearly one hundred million rand infrastructure upgrade

National Zoological Garden in Pretoria remains run-down as R96.5 million upgrade fails to address functional cable cars and enclosure decay.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 2, 2026, 9:13 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from BusinessTech

Overview of National Zoological Infrastructure

The National Zoological Garden of South Africa, established in 1899, serves as the only zoo in the country with national status and spans 85 hectares in the capital city. Managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute since 2018, the facility houses thousands of specimens across hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. The site is geographically divided by the Apies River, which separates flat terrain from the steeper slopes of a central hill, creating a complex logistical environment for maintenance and visitor access.

Financial Allocation and Completed Projects

In response to long-term decline and infrastructure decay, the South African National Biodiversity Institute launched a facilities enhancement project with an initial allocation of over R105 million. Records indicate that between June 2021 and December 2025, approximately R96.5 million was expended on a variety of refurbishment initiatives. These efforts included the renovation of food and beverage infrastructure, such as the Waterhole Building and the Mountain Kiosk, as well as biosecurity improvements for bird enclosures to mitigate the risk of Avian Influenza.

Shortfalls in Facility Maintenance

Despite the documented expenditure, recent on-site assessments conducted in February 2026 reveal that the facility remains in a largely run-down condition. Landmark amenities, including the cable car system that links the base of the hill to the summit, are currently non-functional. Furthermore, while certain animal enclosures have received upgrades, many others appear dilapidated or overgrown. The general state of the grounds includes buildings in poor condition and overgrown areas that suggest a lack of routine landscaping and structural upkeep.