Annie the anaconda turns 32
FOURWAYS - Montecasino Bird Gardens’ green anaconda, Annie, celebrated her 32nd birthday on 31 July.
Annie is the world’s oldest female green anaconda in captivity.
Reptile curator, Chris Cooke, introduced Annie to visitors at the reptile conservatory. Miss Earth 2012 Tamerin Jardine and Miss Earth regional finalists Milanie Cilliers, Jade Axon and Thato Ramonyai were also in attendance.
“Annie was born in captivity in July 1983 and the… [Bird Gardens] bought her from private collector Paul Swires in February 2003,” Cooke said.
“She weighs a hefty 42.8kg and is 4.43m in length.”
Glenn Joseph, general manager of Montecasino, said they were proud to be awarded a certificate of compliance for the international standards that they maintain at the Bird Gardens by the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria for 2014/2015.
“Annie is another feather [in our cap] in our Bird Gardens captivity [programme], and we look forward to introducing her to our visitors for many more years to come,” Joseph said.
According to the global zoological information management system, there are three males in captivity which are older than Annie – two are in the USA and one in the Dominican Republic.
Details: montecasino.co.za
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