Parc des Félins

Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Parc de Félins
date_opened=October 14 2006

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image_caption=Cheetah
location=Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux,
Seine-et-Marne, France
area=60 hectares
num_animals=120
num_species=25
members= EEP, ESB
website=http://www.parc-des-felins.com/

Parc des Félins is located in the commune of Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux in Seine-et-Marne. Covering an area of 60 hectares, it focuses primarily on felines. Of the 36 species of feline species in the world the park has 25 with a total of 120 cats.

The park opened to the public on October 14, 2006 and the majority of the animals come from the Parc d'Aulneau which was too small.

History

*1998: The Parc d'Aulneau opens
*2005: The Parc d'Aulneau becomes too small and a new place is sought.
*2006: The location of the park is chosen at the height of Fortelle at Nesles in Seine-et-Marne.
*2007:The park accommodates a wildcat, a couple of leopard cats, two sand cats, a Siberian tiger, a couple of margay, two oncillas and two rusty-spotted cats.

Visiting the Park

The parks philosophy is the well-being of the animals for reproduction. The enclosures are were studied to observe the environmental conditions of each animal. The park is divided into four geographical areas. Each animal's area contains the name of the animal, a description of the animal, a description of the enclosure and the dangers in their natural environment.

European circuit

The European circuits starts after the enclosure of the cheetahs. There are only two enclosures in this circuit, located in the underwood, and they are occupied by wildcats ("Felis silvestris silvestris") and Eurasian lynx ("Lynx lynx lynx").

African circuit

At the start of the visit one starts with the cheetahs ("Acinonyx jubatus") which have an enclosure roomy enough for them to run. At the end of the enclosure the European circuit begins to the left. By going straight you continue on the African circuit and travel along the enclosure of the lions of Katagana ("Panthera leo bleyenberghi"). At the end of the enclosure one can either turn and start the Asian circuit to the right or start the American circuit to the left.

The African circuit continues to the left and the first enclosure is occupied by servals ("Leptailurus serval"). In a little while the park will have black-footed cats ("Felis nigripes"), their enclosures are currently ready and are holding the fishing cats. On both sides of the way we first see the sand cats ("Felis margarita") and then the African wildcats ("Felis silvestris gordoni") and the Persian leopards ("Panthera pardus saxicolor") and then the caracals ("Caracal caracal").

The circuit finishes with the white lions ("Panthera leo krugeri")(a rarity in zoos) followed by the black panthers ("Panthera pardus") and finally the lion ("Panthera leo").

American circuit

The American circuit starts at the end of the lions of Katagana. The first of enclosure of the American circuit holds the ocelots ("Leopardus pardalis") and to the next to it is the jaguar ("Panthera onca") enclosure.

The path continues past the enclosures of the margays ("Leopardus wiedi"), Geoffroy's cats ("Oncifelis geoffroyi") and the oncillas. The circuit continues past the enclosure of the pumas ("Puma concolor"), and finally one arrives at the dead end to admire the jaguarundis ("Herpailurus yaguarondi") which are very rare in European zoos.

The path ends with the enclosures of the bobcats ("Lynx rufus") and that of a couple of jaguars.

Asian circuit

The Asian circuit starts at the end of the of the lions of Katagana enclosure. The first feline on this path are the Sumatran tigers ("Panthera tigris sumatrae") followed by the enclosure of the rusty-spotted cats. Continuing on is the rare Sri Lanka leopard ("Panthera pardus kotiya"), the Asian golden cats ("Catopuma temmincki"), the leopard cats ("Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis"), the jungle cats ("Felis chaus"), and the fishing cats ("Prionailurus viverrinus").

The path continues with large enclosures containing tigers ("Panthera tigris"), Siberian tigers, Amur leopards ("Panthera pardus orientalis") and Eurasian lynx ("Lynx lynx wrangeli"). The path ends with leopard cats ("Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura"), clouded leopards ("Neofelis nebulosa"), snow leopards ("Uncia uncia") and Pallas's cats ("Otocolobus manul").

External links

* [http://www.parc-des-felins.com/ Official Site of Parc des Félins]