After a robbery at the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park in Hout Bay on Sunday people donated almost R80 000 in two days to assist the sanctuary.
A campaign was started on BackaBuddy where over 100 people donated after hearing about the robbery during which the 81-year-old owner, Walter Mangold, was tied up with the office’s telephone cables.
BackaBuddy public relations officer, Zane Groenewald, says they have raised nearly R80 000 for the sanctuary.
Groenewald says BackaBuddy has raised over R86.3 million for charities, individuals and causes in SA.
“Since the robbery at World of Birds, over R79 123 has been crowdfunded on BackaBuddy with contributions from 139 donors to support the beloved sanctuary after their ordeal,” Groenewald said.
Walter told the Daily Voice he believed the robbery was an “inside job”.
The robbers hit just after 4pm, an hour before closing time on Sunday, and fled with the weekend’s takings of R70 000.
“They cut the telephone wires and tied me up tightly by my hands and feet. It was extremely painful. They wanted to stuff a blanket in my mouth.
“All I asked was for them not to hurt me. They were searching for the safe keys. It’s like they had inside information as they knew everything. They got away with over R70 000.”
Walter was discovered by tourists after he shouted for help.
The sanctuary, which houses 2 000 animals, is in troubled waters and has been insolvent since June.