Mitchell Park Zoo

Step inside the gates of Mitchell Park Zoo, and you’ll be transported to a different time. It’s been a zoo since the early 1900s, and it’s been through a lot of changes since then. It started out as an ostrich farm, but soon other animals joined the flock. In fact, the zoo was once home to a whole collection of animals, including elephants, lions, bears, and even a polar bear. Can you imagine a polar bear in Durban? It’s hard to picture them lounging on the grasslands. But it’s true, and this majestic beast was said to be a mango enthusiast, too! The heat was too much for him, though, and he unfortunately suffered from a hair loss phenomenon. It’s interesting to note that the zoo was originally run by the police department, because the Mitchell Park police station was right next door. One of the most treasured animals was Nellie, an Indian elephant who was gifted to the zoo by a Maharaja. She was quite the social butterfly, knowing how to entertain the children with her skills: playing the mouth organ, cracking coconuts, and even pretending to brush her teeth. Sadly, her later years were marked by a tragic accident and she was shipped to Australia; unfortunately, she was not prepared for the new environment and was put down in 1944 during a fall. Today, Admiral the tortoise holds the title of oldest resident – he’s over one hundred years old! He arrived in a cigar box in 1915 with two other tortoises, but he’s the only survivor. Visit him and you’ll see a living piece of the zoo’s history. The zoo is also home to many other creatures like crocodiles, monkeys, birds, and wallabies. Come on, let’s go explore this hidden gem!