When the first Europeans settled in tha Vegkop area around the midddle of the nineteenth century this area was known to be particularly rich in wildlife.

Most of the major game species of Southern Africa , such as the Buffalo, Zebra, Kudu, Impala, Waterbuck, Blesbuck, Widebeest, Springbuck, Lion and many more, roamed the outstretched grasslands of the North-Eastern Free State. No wonder, this area bacame the hunting ground of farmers, "trekkers", adventurers and hunters from all parts of Southern Africa to harvest or exploit whatever the wildlife of the area had to offer, especially meat and skins. The name "Riemland" for the North-Eastern Free State originated from this period when farmers and others came to the area to collect buckskins for making "rieme" and "riempies" for farming and household purposes. Many stories of bravery and skills in the hunting field have their origin in this period. It is known that the young Paul Kruger (the later president of the Transvaal Republic) shot his first lion in the Vegkop area when he was ten years old.

Due to hunting and the permamet occupation of the land by farmers, the Vegkop area lost most of its major game species during the latter part of the nineteenth century. Of the major game species only the Blesbuck, Black Wildebeest, and to some extent the Springbuck, have survived on farms in the area, together with many species of smaller wild animals such as Ribbok, Steenbok, Ordinary Duiker, Porcupine, Hedgehog, Aardvark (Anteater), Jackal, Caracal or Serval Cat (Rooikat), Aardwolf, Brown Hyena (Strandjut), Otter, Lequaan, Hare and Jumping Hare, Rock Rabbit (Dassie), Meerkat, Mongoose, Ground Squirrel and the Spikey-tailed Lizard (Ouvolk).

Over the last decade or more, wildlife in the Vegkop area has increased substantially. The Goya Conservancy was established while game farming has been introduced as part of farming and ecotourism in the area. Most of the major game species roaming wild in the early days can now be seen on the game farms. The numbers of the smaller wild animals, mentioned above, are also on the increase.

The Vegkop area is also rich in birdlife. According to Roberts' "Birds in Southern Africa" some 200 bird species are resident in the Northern Free State, while a further 20species are breeding migrant in this area. Some of the best known species resident in the area are: the national bird of South Africa, the Blue Crane (Blou Kraanvoel), Guinea-fowl, (Tarentaal), Grey Heron (Bloureier, Hammerkop, Hadeda, Ibis, African Spoon Bill (Lepelaar), Egyptian Goose (Kolgans), Spurwinged Goose (Wilde Makou), Secretary Bird (Sekretarisvoel), Korhaan, Dikkop, Orange River Francolin (Kalaharipatrys), Swainsons Francolin (Bosveldfisant), Crowned Plover (Kroon Kiewiet) and the blackshouldered Kite (Blou Valkie.)

Indeed, bird watchers and wildlife lovers will find enough to enjoy and to keep them occupied for quite a while in the Vegkop area.