Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bays very own world class free flight bird sanctuary takes to the skies as the work in earnest begins on the mast footprints, these footprints are the first stage in the erection of the 2 hectare dome over a gorge of indigenous forest.

Work on the project began last August, and the sanctuary should be open to an eager public by December 2004. At this stage over 1 km of wooden walkways which meander through the gorge have been built, as have several hundred meters of paved pathways outside the forested area. At this stage, the sanctuary also has its own mysterious ruin, which incorporates a walk behind waterfall, called The Waterfall of the Angels.

Another feature of the Birds of Eden Sanctuary, is an amphitheatre, which has the ability to seat over 200 visitors, and will be used by orchestra’s, corporate clients and for weddings.

The most remarkable feature of the sanctuary will be the 2-hectare dome of weld mesh, which will encapsulate the forest, and which, believe it or not, will blend in with the forest. The dome will weigh approximately 79 tonnes, will incorporate an ability to synthesise thunder and to create short spells of rain from an irrigation system in the dome structure. Roofed viewpoints within the gorge have been erected for use during these brief storms. The thunder will be a warning to visitors of the impending rain.

Like Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary next-door, Birds of Eden will also boast of its own canopy walk, while shorter than that of Monkeyland, it will hang above the clouds, yes! In that section of the gorge a mist cloud will be created from beneath the canopy walk, slowly settling onto lush tropical vegetation, exotic ponds and many other surprises.

The decision to develop the bird sanctuary stems from the need to create a safe environment in which to release the miniature monkeys, which are currently caged at Monkeyland. At present they are caged, as they would fall prey to owls and eagles. The presence of these spectacular creatures will add another dimension to the bird sanctuary. The bird sanctuary will also give bird owners the opportunity to apply to release their pet birds into the sanctuary, after undergoing tests and rehabilitation.

Another phase of the sanctuary called, “Raptors of Eden”, where rehabilitated Falcons, Owls and Lanners are used in an outdoor show by qualified instructors’ will be open to the public before the end of this year. The raptors used in the show cannot be released for a myriad of reasons, but the show will generate funds, which can be donated to organisations that are striving to save raptor habitat.

Bird Sanctuary and Monkeyland staff will be available to take interested parties on a tour of the Birds of Eden Sanctuary during the December/January holiday season.