South African Animal Keepers Launch National Association for Better Welfare

The spirit of cooperation and dedication to advancing the wellbeing of animals in human care across South Africa has taken a leap forward with the recent establishment of SAAKA – the South African Animal Keepers Association.

This new non-profit organisation is working to create an effective network of animal keepers across South Africa. This network will work to promote a positive culture of resource and information exchange, while collectively working to improve the wellbeing of captive wildlife across the country’s fifty plus zoos, sanctuaries and aquariums. By networking a wide variety of facilities, SAAKA aims to promote the importance of upholding high standards of animal husbandry and care while collectively addressing matters of conservation.

David Morgan, Wild Welfare co-founder.

Dave Morgan, co-founder and Field Director at the internationally recognised animal welfare organisation, Wild Welfare, has recently been awarded a SAAKA Lifetime Regency. This honour recognises Dave’s tireless dedication and remarkable contributions to the industry over many decades. Wild Welfare, which is renowned for its partnership-based work to improve animal welfare across the globe through practical support and expertise, shares SAAKA’s guiding principles of working together and promoting continued professional development learning.

Dave’s dedication also includes an invitation to present a keynote address at SAAKA’s first animal welfare workshop, scheduled to take place from October 21st to 23rd, 2025, at Johannesburg Zoo. As an industry leader, Dave will share his years of experience and insightful knowledge to help lead what promises to be an educational and highly interactive event. His involvement highlights the value of global cooperation in addressing intricate animal welfare issues and demonstrates the shared values of Wild Welfare and the growing Southern African Keeper community.

Recognising the key role of animal caregivers and their unique understanding of individual animal needs, SAAKA will collaborate with educational institutions and NGOs like Wild Welfare to enhance research and training activities. By promoting practical resources (such as Wild Welfare’s online enrichment resources), frontline professionals can access learning opportunities allowing them to better understand how adjusting care can encourage positive and natural behaviours through choice, comfort, control, ultimately allowing animals to experience better welfare outcomes. Investing in member’s practical knowledge will help SAAKA secure a brighter future for animals under human care in SA.

“The keepers are the unsung heroes—the ones who know exactly which chimp throws a tantrum when breakfast is late and which parrot swears in front of school groups. They are the front line, the first responders in animal care and welfare. So the idea of them banding together to swap stories, share tricks of the trade, and maybe finally get the respect they deserve—it’s absolutely marvellous. The South African Animal Keeper’s Association is a brilliant idea, and frankly, about time too.” Dave expressed. 

Wild Welfare has a strong history of promoting and supporting animal care professionals to help improve animal welfare levels, encouraging sustainable practices, and inspiring positive change for both people and animals. One such resource is Wild Welfare’s popular ‘Wild About Welfare’, an e-learning course available to anyone involved in wild or exotic animal care. The accessible online tool aims to address common knowledge gaps through engaging and interactive learning modules. ‘Wild About Welfare’ was a collaborative project with The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. The course aims to enable users to confidently enhance the lives of wild animals under their care. Since its initial launch in 2021, the course has been accessed across the world nearly 27,000 times in six supported languages.

SAAKA, along with its dedicated network of collaborators from all around the world, hopes to bring real benefit to the lives of many animals and the professionals who work with them from across South Africa.

ENDS

Wild Welfare is devoted to improving the welfare of captive animals across the world. You can support our efforts by sharing this article, signing up to our newsletter, following our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram), or by making an online donation. Every small contribution can help us to develop our vital accessible animal resources. Thank you.

Notes to Editors

For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org

Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.

Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).

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