A vet by training, Dr Stephen van der Spuy is passionate about animals
and conservation. As the new chief executive of the Johannesburg Zoo,
he is the right man for the job.
DR STEPHEN van der Spuy’s bedtime stories are punctuated by the ear-splitting roar of lions, which live next-door to his home in Saxonwold, in the leafy “Parks” suburbs of grand old Joburg.
“I get to hear the [Johannesburg Zoo] lions roar every night. The noise makes me sleep; at least I know that they are still alive,” he says with a smile.
Van der Spuy is the new chief executive officer of the Johannesburg Zoo, a position he cherishes; he took up the reins on 1 March, following the departure of Jenny Gray.
New chief executive officer of the Johannesburg Zoo, Dr Stephen Van der Spuy
The new zoo boss was born and bred in Pretoria, where he did most of his schooling, and acquired a bit of work experience. A veterinarian by profession, he spent six years studying for his degree in veterinary science at the University of Pretoria.
At 36, Van der Spuy has more than 15 years of experience in working with animals. By looking at him, it is easy to mistakenly class the doc as too young to have taken his new role; but he oozes a profound passion for his subject. He is quietly reflective, thinking before he gives meticulous and intelligent answers to each question he is asked.
He clicks his pen, taps it on the desk and thoughtfully looks out the window, perhaps looking for inspiration from the sound of flamingos; his office window overlooks their enclosure, which adjoins its entrance. “I am very passionate about animals,” he notes.
Passion for Africa
And his passion for the beautiful, native Africa led him to fall in love with its flora and fauna, of which he speaks highly. “I wouldn’t be a vet anywhere else except Africa,” he confirms. Van der Spuy believes that Africa is a vibrant place, “earthy down to the core. We live our lives every single day in close contact with nature … It is unfortunate that a lot of people are not that concerned and grateful.”
Speaking about his life, the doctor gazes into the partly cloudy blue skies, and then speaks slowly. “I think my mom influenced me from as far [back] as I can remember to become a vet,” he says, adding, “It was at a young age that I decided to become a veterinarian. I have never dreamt of being anything else except that,” he says, adding that he has never done any work other than with animals. “They have always been much of a focus in my life.”
A staunch rugby fan and accidental bachelor, the new zoo boss adores his quiet space at home, saying that it is a halcyon setting. He owns two dogs - great Danes called Pech and Mia, and he says that he is “very single and available”. “I think I am just like everyone else, I would like to meet the right person one day,” he concedes shyly.
Van der Spuy’s home adjoins the South African War Museum, which is on the hill overlooking the zoo. He has been living there for over three years now.
His three favourite animals are the Gabon viper, the rhino and the discuss fish. “I have loved fish my whole life and have kept them for as long as I can remember. Rhinos are friendly, big and charismatic, and they like their ears scratched. I think I love snakes because of the danger part of them.”
His office is attractively furnished, with the carpet carefully matching the soft furnishings, which are reflected in the polished table and chairs. A dapper and well-dressed man, he is wearing a grey and brown pinstriped shirt; his pants complement the ensemble.
Experience
Van der Spuy has worked as an administrator at numerous animal facilities. He owned and managed the Exotic Animal Clinic at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, which is administered by the University of Pretoria. He also managed the Montecasino Bird Gardens for over two years.
The new Zoo CEO counts the rhino among his three favourite animals
He has been at the zoo since 2004, starting as the executive manager of the animal department and working upwards to the top spot as chief executive officer. He is actively involved in numerous conservation projects, including the zoo’s Wattled Crane Recovery Programme, frog-breeding project and 2008 Year of the Frog Conservation Project.
According to the Amphibian Ark, a campaign supported by world zoos to rescue the 500 most endangered species of amphibians that cannot be saved in the wild, frogs face extinction if no decisive measures are taken to conserve them. The gradual mass extinction of South African frogs can only be stopped if people understand the importance of biodiversity.
Van der Spuy believes that it is pivotal for every zoo to be involved in conservation projects, in order to “get people to understand the importance of animals. That is an image and profile that we want to maintain,” he notes, adding that the zoo labours to make a difference in the lives of animals.
Organisations that support Amphibian Ark are leading the global public awareness campaign, 2008: The Year of the Frog, to raise awareness in national governments and the world media, and among educators and the general public about the vulnerability of amphibians and the threat of extinction.
Van der Spuy is on the board of the ground hornbill conservation project and has assisted the Jane Goodall Institute on chimpanzee rescue operations in various African countries.
Fantastic job
Then a knock on his office door interrupts the doctor. It’s a zoo curator, come to enquire about quarantining some animals from Madagascar. “This is a fantastic job … It feels rewarding to help animals come to life again. My life is about enjoying everything that is natural and being able to provide natural comfort to animals.”
When it comes to relaxation, Van der Spuy is partial to good food, particularly Thai cuisine and sushi, which goes down well with a cool gin and tonic. Chilling at home with his two dogs gives him comfort, while going for drinks with friends at the Zoo Lake Bowling Club, Ratz in Melville or the Jolly Roger in Parkhurst is a good choice for an evening out.
The mandate of the zoo’s chief executive, given by the City and the zoo’s board of directors, is for him to make the zoo a success. “It should be the most vibrant place in Joburg; it should be exciting and ensure that the message of nature conservation is disseminated as much as possible.”
One of his key tasks is to increase the financial viability of the zoo, without neglecting its primary role, which, he says, is to provide a fun setting for events and a leisurely space for Joburgers and its visitors, as well as serve as a surrogate parent to all animal species.
Van der Spuy says that he is wholeheartedly committed to his job, and is “absolutely” ready for the challenge. “It is a wonderful job. I think having worked as a vet makes it easy, I’ve got the experience, so I will pull it through.”
The love of the zoo and animals is what keeps him going. “It’s the little things about animals that make me tick - that specific colour, the behaviour, and their vibrancy.”
Marabou stork
Having worked with animals for so long, the doctor says that there is only one animal that resembles human beings - “the similarities are unbelievable”. “I think people can be compared to marabou storks, [it is] a bird that is always checking things out.
“It’s so unpretentious and always makes something out of nothing. It’s a real survivor and it looks for opportunities to do something way off its circumstances and surroundings. It can be very underestimated.”
The Johannesburg Zoo opened 104 years ago, in 1904. It is a haven for healthy, endangered and exotic animals, and its setting provides a perfect space for concerts and family outings. Because of its age, the zoo’s infrastructure is falling into disrepair, however, Van der Spuy says that contingency plans have been devised to overhaul the ageing infrastructure.
“It’s a conspicuous fact that the zoo infrastructure is ageing, but we have put contingency measures and plans in place to keep it fresh and good looking,” he says, adding that plans to overhaul its infrastructure and new developments will be introduced soon.
Today, the zoo has a population of more than 2 070 animals of 380 species, and occupies some 51 hectares of land in leafy Parkview. It was created to enhance an awareness of wildlife and the environment through education, conservation and research in Joburg.
“We have already built new exhibition areas for snakes, frogs, spiders, monkeys and fish. We are also planning to build an aquarium. We have also had major improvements, including the reptile, bear and pygmy hippo enclosures.”
The zoo is subsidised by the City, but the chief executive is mandated to ensure that it generates its own income.
“The City has supported us extensively over the years, and that allows us to improve. We want to maximise our income by creating a good environment for our visitors. We are also looking into getting sponsorships from corporate and private sectors to assist in growing our budget, in order for us to be able to run all these conservation projects,” Van der Spuy explains.
“We ultimately plan to make the zoo as self-sustaining as possible. We are well on our way to doing that; we have hundreds of plans in place, and we are in a process of implementation.”
To those Joburgers who have never visited the zoo, the new boss says that it “belongs to all Joburgers. It is a very exiting place to be. We have good food and drinks. Come support us, we are doing a lot, just come and see what we are doing new. Come be in a safe place; it is really a wholesome place.”
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