Home » News » VIDEO. The Zoo of Doué-la-Fontaine in Maine-et-Loire reopens its doors

VIDEO. The Zoo of Doué-la-Fontaine in Maine-et-Loire reopens its doors

End of the winter break and start of the tourist season for animal parks. At the biopark of Doué-la-Fontaine, in Maine et Loire, the reopening to the public is accompanied by the presentation of two newcomers. Little lionesses.

The Doué-la-Fontaine Bioparc in Maine et Loire reopened its doors to the public on the weekend of February 4 and 5, 2023 after the winter break.

Two new residents were born there last December.

The public was there.

Among the attractions that fill up: the public lunch of the 140 parrots. animals radvice to find their audience.

Visitors are also delighted with this reunion.

We come often, we have the entry badge with us“says this lady accompanied by her big daughter.

This is definitely my favorite spot here at bird feeding time” she adds.

I like it because they have done some work and it changes a little“says for her part this little visitor apparently accustomed to the place despite her young age.

There are many species that weren’t there before and that I hadn’t seen” concludes the little girl.

We came a bit like that as a family, it’s an opportunity” the mother acquiesced.

We thought it was nice and not too cold“adds the young woman wrapped in her colorful coat.

But the stars of the season, they are them.

Power and Swing.

Two little lionesses born barely two months ago

So today all eyes are on their shelter.

There they must be sleeping in the building ” notice Thomas Coincenot, trainer at the Bioparc Zoo in Doué-la-Fontaine.

Sometimes the mother picks them up and takes them for a walk, but that’s very rare. And since they are not used to seeing people I think they went to hide a little“explains the caretaker.

Saturday we had a good troop of enthusiasts who were eagerly awaiting the little lionesses. They left at the very end of the day“says Thomas with a smile.

Among them Laurent Cesbron. This amateur photographer came as soon as the park reopened And waited six hours before finally seeing them.

Adrenaline takes over“says the image hunter.

Seeing two little balls of fur like that who still have a little trouble walking and get their legs a little tangled… Even if it’s in a park the emotion is still there

Laurent Cesbron

amateur photographer

These two lion cubs may attract even more curious people. In 2022, 274,000 have visited the park. A record to start the year off right.

The Bioparc is committed to preserving biodiversity and supports animal protection associations around the world.

He will donate 500,000 euros to around thirty associations.

For what purposes?

The answers of Pierre Gay, president of the endowment fund of the Bioparc of Doué-la-Fontaine.

The biopark is committed to the preservation of biodiversity and supports animal protection associations around the world. He will donate 500,000 euros to around thirty associations. For what purposes? The answers of Pierre Gay, president of the Bioparc endowment fund



©France 3 Pays de la Loire

How was this initiative born?

I wanted our family biological park to be at the service of nature. I did everything to bring nature into the park when I was young. It was my story. I had no particular training but I brought trees, plants, pebbles. I really wanted the place to be natural. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary we tried to make the park shine outside by supporting these projects everywhere

Pierre Gay

president of the Bioparc endowment fund

An example of a supported project?

An extraordinary example in Niger where giraffes almost disappeared. There remained a herd of West African giraffes between Lake Chad and the coast of Senegal. 5000 kilometers away. A herd of 49 giraffes. It was in the mid-90s. We intervened in 2001. They had risen to 78 giraffes. The Nigerian state had finally understood that they had to be protected. And today we are slowly approaching the thousand giraffes.

Pierre Gay

president of the Bioparc endowment fund

How are these projects funded?

We devote 4% of our annual turnover to supporting these associations all over the world. We also created an endowment fund when it was possible a dozen years ago. Thanks to this tool we collect funds from sponsors, visitors to the park, etc. These funds are also used to support projects. The two put end to end, it represented 500,000 euros last year. What I am particularly proud of.

Pierre Gay

president of the Bioparc endowment fund

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