Stork brings a happy surprise to Crocworld for a special Mother’s Day celebration

In true fairy-tale fashion, the stork has visited Crocworld Conservation Centre – but this time, quite literally! Mother’s Day will be an extra special celebration for the Scottburgh-based centre as Samara, the beloved Marabou Stork resident, laid a number of eggs that are expected to hatch mid-May. To further celebrate all mothers on Sunday 14 May, Crocworld’s on-site Fish Eagle Café has organised a delicious Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch Buffet that’s not to be missed!

Commenting on the new addition to the Marabou Stork family, Crocworld Conservation Centre Bird Curator, Ryne Ferguson, said: “We’re so excited that after a month of courtship and nest building, Samara and Norris have three eggs which will incubate for a few weeks. Sometimes the first eggs laid aren’t fertile which is why we usually have two eggs hatch, and we expect this around the 14 to 20 May. Samara, who arrived here in 2007, is a very good mom and has bred with Norris for the last three years, rearing a number of chicks. It’s very fitting that we get to celebrate their new chicks the same month we celebrate mothers everywhere!”

This is one of Crocworld’s many successful breeding programmes, with Crocworld welcoming two Marabou Stork chicks in 2020 - the first in the centre’s history. They also have the endangered Cape Vulture species forming part of the breeding programme which is a vital conservation method to preserve the existing gene pool. Also joining the flock is a pair of white, Mute Swans, regally named Elizabeth and Philip.

Ferguson said Marabou Storks, which are the largest flighted birds in Africa, are an incredibly interesting species because of how they regulate their body temperatures. He explained that, by inflating their throat pouches, they created a larger surface area for cooling the blood that is pumped to the rest of the body.

The incubation period for Marabou Storks is around 30 days, which means visitors to Crocworld on Mother’s Day will get to see the resident pair caring for the eggs.

Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch Buffet

A visit to the centre’s latest additions is also the perfect excuse to celebrate mom in style with a gourmet buffet arranged by the Fish Eagle Café’s Executive Chef and Manager, Morne van Zyl.

This year’s delectable three-course meal includes a range of delicious starters such as creamy mussels and deep-fried coujons of basa, with a wholesome main of roast beef, pulled pork pie, and Kashmiri Cajun chicken curry. The meal is completed with a selection of desserts, from mixed berry cheesecake fridge tart and fruit salad to ice cream and English toffee sauce. Fish Eagle Café also has a refreshing cocktail menu, with delightful daiquiris, mojitos, and G&T options enjoyed from the beautiful wraparound deck, boasting exquisite views of the Indian Ocean and the chance to spot frolicking dolphins.

The cost of the Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch Buffet is R195 for adults, R95 for children U12. Bookings are essential as space is limited! To book, call 083 658 7073.

Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch Buffet

Venue: Fish Eagle Café at Crocworld Conservation Centre, Scottburgh

Date: Sunday, 14 May

Price: R195 for adults, R95 for children U12

Contact: 083 658 7073 - Bookings are essential!

For patrons who can’t wait that long, Fish Eagle Café is also hosting a mouthwatering Curry Night Buffet Style serving oxtail, butter chicken, and mutton curries!

Venue: Fish Eagle Café at Crocworld Conservation Centre, Scottburgh

Date: Thursday, 4 May

Time: 5.30pm to 9pm

Contact: 083 658 7073 to book

The centre is home to a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids, with the on-site animal farm a great place for youngsters to interact with goats, bunnies, guinea pigs and more! There are also daily crocodile feedings and talks. For more information, visit www.crocworld.co.za, ‘Crocworld Conservation Centre’ on Facebook or call 039 976 1103. Contact Fish Eagle Café, call 083 658 7073 or email mvanzyl@cbl.co.za.