Exotic Animal Sanctuary Gutted by Fire, Sees Influx of Community Support

Photo Credit: Exotic Animal World

The Exotic Animal World in Klapmuts, Western Cape faced a gutwrenching fire that destroyed the animal kitchen; the community is rallying to support them and the animals.

Klapmuts, South Africa (16 March 2023) – The Exotic Animal World, previously known as Butterfly World, was gutted by a fire over the past weekend that left the staff stunned. The fire broke out in the animal kitchen and was thankfully contained to that building so none of the animals were harmed.

The centre, which started out as a butterfly dome in 1996, started getting calls from exotic pet owners looking for a safe place to rehome their animals, as well as calls from rescue organisations that had taken in exotic animals in need of sanctuary. They soon opened their doors to these animals, offering a safe haven and place for the animals to live out the rest of their lives. The facility operates as an educational resource that is often used by schools in the Western Cape.

Since the fire, they have managed to figure out what is next. The fire took place in the early hours of the morning, so the cause is still being investigated.

As the entire animal kitchen was gutted, the team is having to rebuild from scratch. Some of the animals nearest to the kitchen area, have been taken to the local exotic animal veterinarian for smoke inhalation treatment. But thankfully, most of the animals escaped the disaster unharmed.

The animals in treatment are at the Cape Exotic Animal Hospital (CEAH) and are all recovering well.

“It is going to take time for all involved to come to terms with what happened. In the meantime, the support from the local community and beyond has been overwhelming.

For this purpose, we have compiled a list of items that we will be needing in the short term.”