 |
 |
|
Introduction Our Philosophy History |
BROCHURE 2009
The new brochure of Parc des Félins is available !
Click here to download
|
NEW |
 |
RSS Feed photo of the day
|
News
|
Archives : 2008
BOOKING FORM FOR ANNUAL PASS-HOLDERS’ EVENINGDear Annual Pass-Holders,
Here is the booking form (in French) for you to reserve your places for the 2nd Annual Pass-Holders’ Evening (see news of 24 February).
Just a reminder that this event will take place on Saturday, 17 April 2010, and like last year there will be a fixed menu at cost price (10€ per person).
Places are limited to 500 on a first come first served basis!
The Park’s Staff
2nd EDITION OF THE ANNUAL PASS-HOLDERS’ EVENINGDear Annual Pass-holders,
Make a note in your diary for Saturday, 17 April 2010 as it’s the 2nd Annual Pass-Holders’ Evening!
Like last year, this evening is specially reserved for you and your family. There will be a fixed menu offered at cost price (10€ per person) and places are limited to 500 on a first come first served basis.
The programme, booking form and other details will be available very shortly on the website.
Stay tuned!
The Park’s Staff
THE ‘PARC DES FELINS’ SPEAKS OUT Grégory Breton, Assistant Director and Curator at the ‘Parc des Félins’, answered questions from the ‘Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis’ about tigers and this year dedicated to the tiger in Chinese tradition...
Click on the link to read the interview (in French language): http://www.30millionsdamis.fr/acces-special/actualites/detail/article/1649-2010-annee-du-tigre-ou-de-sa-disparition.html
‘LE PARC DES FELINS’ CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE TIGER!In the Chinese calendar, 2010 is the year of the tiger… and to celebrate this new year in China they will be eating even more tiger meat!
In Chinese tradition, the tiger symbolises the male principle: the yang, symbol of strength. Yet it is widely used in traditional medicine to 'cure' diseases and increase sexual vigour… to the point where it has totally disappeared in China, and its disappearance rate is increasing in the border countries...
A century ago, over 100 000 tigers roamed the Asian continent. Today, there are less than 3 000 (according to the most optimistic). The pressure exerted by the 'needs' of traditional medicine combined with the impact of deforestation is leading this magnificent predator to the edge of extinction!
Nikolai and Natasha in action beginning February... Cross fingers!
Photograph by Serge Signore
Photograph by Serge Signore
As for the ‘Parc des Félins’, all being well it should be celebrating this new year with the birth of Siberian tiger cubs!
After the Snow Leopards a few weeks ago, it’s now the turn of one of our Siberian tiger couples to mate this week. They are a very important couple for the European Breeding Programme...
So if the females don’t come on heat again in the coming months...
To be continued...
Tien Shen and Jampal in action... Keep your fingers doubly crossed!
Photographie de Serge Signore
THE 2010 POSTERS ARE HOT OFF THE PRESS!For the first time, in 2010 you will not only see 2 different posters to promote the park, but 3!
3 different designs for 3 different ideas...
Keep an eye out in the East of Paris, Reims and Troyes for these full-sized posters!
Many thanks to our usual photographers who gave us permission to use their photos.
VIDEO OF OUR LEMURSThe presentation video of the park’s lemurs is now available on the popular sites YouTube and Dailymotion. These images were filmed in July 2009 after the opening of this new attraction to the public.
With the current wintry weather, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to see the lemurs every day. If the temperature is below 5°C we keep them indoors. Feel free to give us a call to find out before coming.
In 2010 we should have our first litters of lemurs, including Ring-tailed Lemurs and Black Lemurs.
CATERING CHANGES: NEW TEAM AND LOWER PRICES!The park’s catering department has been reorganised!
As of tomorrow, Saturday 13 February 2010, the KILIMANDJARO restaurant will re-open to the public.
Our new team will be there to welcome you with new menus and meals at reasonable prices.
More information, menu and photos to follow shortly!
NEW PARK BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE!
The 2010 promotional brochure for the “Parc des Félins” has arrived!
The park’s staff would like to thank the amateur photographers who gave us permission to use their photos for the brochure.
Click on the image below to download the brochure in low resolution pdf format (3.35 Mo).
You can also get hold of a copy at the park or by mail upon request. Feel free to take some to give to your local shops!
Cover pictures: Papillon Usseglio (jaguar) et Serge Signore (tiger)
SAVE OUR BEARS!
Dear Bear-Lovers,
A petition in favour of the bear is currently circulating on the net and has already reached nearly 2,000 signatures in just a few days! This is very good news!
However, nothing is won yet...
If you would like to help these plantigrades and ask the French government to launch a new plan for the restoration of the bear population, including:-
- Regular bear releases, primarily in the Béarn region, but also in the Central Pyrenees.
- Better legal protection for the Brown Bear in France.
- Better protection of its habitat.
- Community campaigns to promote the local populations of this exceptional natural heritage.
- Regular bear releases, primarily in the Béarn region, but also in the Central Pyrenees.
- Better legal protection for the Brown Bear in France.
- Better protection of its habitat.
- Community campaigns to promote the local populations of this exceptional natural heritage.
Visit http://www.ours2010.org/ and spread the information to your family and friends!
You can also get a paper version of the petition here: http://www.ferus.org/spip.php?article1849
If you are interested in France’s large predators (Bear, Lynx and Wolf) and if you want to take an active part in the protection and rehabilitation of these species, you can support and join FERUS, a serious organisation which we can recommend to you.
Have a nice day!
PRESS RELEASE: AN UNSPEAKABLE DEED… THEFT OF A BABY OCELOT AT THE ‘PARC DES FELINS’
Dear Regular or Occasional Visitors to the ‘Parc des Félins’,
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the criminal disappearance of the female baby ocelot born on 27 November 2009.
This animal, which was the last to be born in 2009, was stolen from our establishment on Friday, 22 January in broad daylight! The fact that the mesh of the ocelot’s enclosure was cut leaves no doubt that it was theft. Luckily for us, our adult ocelots got frightened and stayed up in the higher section of the enclosure and did not try to escape.
A complaint was registered at the police station as soon as the theft had been noticed and all services dealing with wild animals (DDSV77, Direction Générale de l’ONCSF et antenne du 77, BMI CITES CAPTURE de Chambord, DIREN l’Île de France, PIF de Roissy, …) have been informed by fax and mail. The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), veterinary surgeons of the Seine-et-Marne region and air carriers have also been informed.
The author of this unspeakable deed has not yet been apprehended and unfortunately, the probability of finding the animal is extremely slight because finding the culprit is an almost impossible job. The baby can be very easily hidden if needed and this species does not make much noise. CCTV may be able to help us and the authorities are looking into this…
The baby ocelot taken from its mother wasn’t quite two months old and was not completely weaned. Also, because of her young age she was not yet vaccinated (scheduled for 2 weeks’ time) and therefore not immunised against typhus and cat flu, but the animal is identifiable electronically and can be identified using modern tracking methods. A baby ocelot is already very different from a domestic cat: It has a bigger head, large paws, its claws are already sharp and has characteristic markings on its coat (see recent photo below). There are three people at the park who can identify her beyond a doubt, and for information, there were less than 10 ocelot births in zoos worldwide in 2009. This baby would have eventually gone on to join a male in an English zoo to form a breeding couple.
If the person who committed this crime (or the ringleader) reads this, we hope that he/she will become aware of his/her act and the trauma caused to the animal. We are willing to drop our complaint if the animal is returned within 6 days. After this deadline, its parents will no longer accept it. For information, an adult ocelot is not a cat. It will mark its territory with a very strong odour (urine and droppings), will use its claws a lot and can become potentially dangerous for children but also for adults. At sexual maturity, wild cats are difficult to control even for the person responsible for them from a young age. In the past we had an ocelot which had been kept as a pet for 6 months before the owner decided to hand it over to the authorities. We have also known of ocelots kept locked up in supermarket trolleys or small cages because they were too aggressive. Salvador Dali is obviously not a good example!
It is also important to specify that the ocelot is a protected species according to the Washington Convention (Appendix I of the CITES prohibiting trade) and French law (decree of 15 May 1986). Possessing an ocelot without a CITES permit is punishable by law and can lead to imprisonment and a fine. The animal can never be regularised. We would like to appeal to the thief that it’s not too late. The animal can be either handed back to the park or given to a vet who will take care of it before giving it back to us.
Please keep a look out and contact us if you have recently seen “a small chunky cat with unusual fur and behaving strangely.”
If the thief sets the animal free or dumps it near your house and you see the animal, please note that it is not an easy cat to handle due to its speed and the fact that it already has claws and strong teeth. We advise you to try and catch it using thick gloves, a net or by turning a bag inside out over it.
If you have any information you would like to communicate, please contact the police station of Rozay-en-Brie and/or Grégory Breton, Assistant Director and Curator of the park on +33 (0)1 64 51 33 30.
We thank you in advance for your support and hope that there will be a happy outcome to this sad event.
All the staff at the Parc des Félins
23 January 2010
23 January 2010
Picture of the small ocelot taken the 17th January 2010 © Stéphane Adélaïde
REOUVERTURE DES ÎLES DES LEMURIENS
Lemur island Lemur Island will be re-opening to the public from tomorrow, Saturday, 23 January 2010.
Opening Times:
- Week days: 2 pm – 2.30 pm
- Weekends: 2 pm – 3 pm
The lemurs will be fed at 2 pm.
- Week days: 2 pm – 2.30 pm
- Weekends: 2 pm – 3 pm
The lemurs will be fed at 2 pm.
Due to breeding purposes or weather conditions, we reserve the right to keep certain lemurs indoors or not to open the island. For this reason, don’t hesitate to call us for confirmation before visiting.
PUBLICATION (cont’d)
A very interesting new magazine called “LE JOURNAL DE LA CONSERVATION” has just been published online.
“Le Journal de la Conservation” is the first French language magazine informing the general public about the commitments of public and private French zoological parks towards saving wild animal species in their natural habitat (in-situ conservation).
It also details the commitments of these parks towards international ex-situ conservation programmes and the research that entails and which allows us to broaden our knowledge of wild animals. In brief it gives news about zoological parks.
In this first issue, which can be downloaded by clicking on the picture below, you will also find a concise article about the Snow Leopard and discoveries made about this very discrete animal, written by Grégory Breton, zoological director of the Parc des Félins.
Bonne lecture !
PS: For easier reading, we suggest you save the document on your hard disk and modify the display by selecting the options “Facing” in the menu ‘View>Page Layout’ of Acrobat Reader.
PUBLICATION
The Parc des Félins panthers are honoured in the issue n°2 of the magazine ‘ART ANIMALIER’, a new magazine (in French language) which combines culture and nature and is available from newsagents.
This magazine contains a superb portfolio of shots taken at the park by our most enthusiastic photographers.
For more information, visit the magazine’s website: http://www.artanimalier.fr
To see other photos from the same photographers, take a look at: http://www.beneluxnaturephoto.net (section: “Animaux en captivité et domestiques").
NEWS OF THE LEMURSGiven the current meteorological conditions and the presence of ice on the lake surrounding Lemur island, we would like to inform you that the lemurs will not be visible when the park reopens.
They will stay inside nice and warm until the ice melts. We will inform you as soon as we let them out again onto the islands.
2010 – A NEW DECADE TOGETHER!
As I mentioned in August, 2009 has been a year of “confirmation”. It has been an excellent year for our establishment with over 248 500 visitors coming to look at the park’s cats and lemurs. We are now listed amongst the top 10 French zoological parks!
I would therefore like to express my thanks; first of all to our faithful annual pass-holders. Indeed, the sales of annual passes are still in progression, which is fantastic. Some of you have told us that you think the annual pass is too cheap and that pass-holders who visit the park regularly have a considerable advantage. This is true, but is also a deliberate choice, as I consider that the park needs its pass-holder friends to promote it within their family, their circle of friends and among their colleagues. In my opinion this is very important and as a result it’s also thanks to you, dear pass-holders, that the ‘Parc des Félins’ is making headway! I think that’s worth losing a few euros for!
I would then like to thank all the visitors who help us and take a bit of their time to explain to those who still don’t understand that an animal needs to be respected and that includes space, and that with a little patience and observation a visit to the park can be an extraordinary experience!
Thanks also to all those who come to spend an enjoyable time and who leave with the firm decision to use only products which respect nature and animals, for the future of our children, and especially to no longer use products containing palm oil!
This year we will continue to breed our cats (according to the European Breeding Programme guidelines) but also start to breed our lemurs, both in the excellent conditions of captivity that you know.
In order to improve your visit and better represent the different continents, we are going to modify the central point of the park and bring about other changes and improvements:
- The information tent which has been situated at the central point of the park for the last 3 years has been moved this winter. It will be replaced by a new area devoted to conservation and the problems encountered on our planet by big cats, but also other animals and humans. This new information point will be situated near to the entrance and will also be the office of our new, quite militant, organisation “SOS Félins & Co”. We will tell you more about it shortly!
- This summer there will be more “feline” nature guides to give you on-the-spot information about the animals and to help new visitors (who are perhaps not accustomed to such a spacious “zoo”) spot the animals.
I would like to end this report with the failure of Copenhagen.
Was there any other possible outcome? In a world where money is king, what value has life?
In most countries, ecology isn’t taken seriously. Our leaders have succeeded in making it a dirty word or even taboo in everyone’s mind, while it is simply a major concern for the future of our planet, our children and grand-children!
- An example: the sale of cars continues to rise in our “rich” countries, but also in emerging countries who consider our way of life as a model. OK, but what about improving public transport in Europe? Carpools? New, more compact town cars? Bicycles in town centres? SSHHHH! We’ve been talking about it for the past 30 years but we can put it off until later… or just a bit for appearance’s sake! There’s still some petrol left…
- Another example: the sorting of recyclables has become an enormous business today, source of profits for few and source of taxes for everyone! And if we think about packaging? If we wanted to, we could get rid of almost all our rubbish! We continue to buy over-packaged products like ready-made meals; biscuits with individual packaging like those made by Lu® and Delacre ®; Pitch® brioches; the pseudo-protective Actimel®; certain toys and cosmetics (well noticed Serge ;-)…? Our governments are too tolerant when is comes to manufacturers! And we are setting the example for Brazil, India, China, Benin, Cambodia, and Chile…
- I could give you many more examples of subjects that give food for thought today. Should I mention palm oil? I could also talk about the effect of bovine farming on South-American forests…
Those scientists that are still optimistic say that the solution will be found by us - each and every one of us! So stop saying “I don’t know… No-one told me… I’m used to doing this or that… etc.” We are always being told that the 21st century is the century of communication. We can revolt today but have mobile phones and internet shut us up?
I would like us to group together; to join forces for a large protest movement for the respect of life … Our cats are the emblem of it!
Born to live…
Live in happiness…
But happiness is not synonymous with consumption!
I wish you all much happiness!!!
Patrick Jardin,
Founder and Director
CATERING CHANGES – NEW TEAM AND CHEAPER PRICES!To start off the year, our Catering department has been reorganised!
The KILIMANDJARO restaurant will re-open as from Saturday 13 February and our new team will be waiting to welcome you with new menus and dishes at reasonable prices.
More information will be posted shortly.
Meanwhile, from 17 January to 12 February, the park will be offering a fast food service in the entry hall (croque-monsieur, pizza, leek tart, waffles, doughnuts…).
2010 TIMETABLE FOR THE SEINE-ET-MARNE EXPRESS n°1 BUSYou will find HERE and on the page "How to Find Us", the pdf file of the Seine-et-Marne Express n°1 "Rebais-Coulommiers-Melun" bus timetable as of 14 December 2009. A few minor adjustments have been made to improve correspondences with the SNCF service.
Although this timetable is official, we suggest you check the buses are running correctly if you wish to visit the park after it reopens again on 17 January.
GREETINGS CARD
END OF YEAR GIFT
Copyright : Serge Signore
What would you say to a free ‘Parc des Félins’ calendar?
Well, Serge Signore, faithful visitor, photographer and enthusiast has done it! He is offering you his calendar with photos he took during each of the months indicated (but in 2009). Click here to download the calendar.
Finally, the park’s staff would like to present their best wishes for the New Year. See you soon in 2010!
MORE BIRTHS AT THE ‘PARC DES FELINS’As 2009 comes quietly to an end the baby cats born in the park are growing up. This year has been yet again outstanding with 14 cubs born in the spring.
After 2008 and the birth of 5 young white tiger cubs, the stars of the park in 2009 are two Angola lion cubs aged 5 months called Tiombo and Tiembe, and of course Saka, the young jaguar.
Breeding lions or jaguars in a zoo is not an unusual feat these days. It is the breeding conditions which are exceptional!
Tiombo and Tiembe were probably born on 13 or 14 May. ‘Probably’ because their proud mother, Benguela, was able to give birth to them in the most natural conditions possible. After a gestation period of around a hundred days, she isolated herself in the grove of trees in her pride’s two hectare enclosure and after a few days visitors had a lovely surprise when Benguela decided to bring her cubs out into the open. Today Tiombo and Tiembe are growing up quickly but their favourite activity is still playing, under their mother’s watchful eye.
Saka the baby jaguar was born on 5 May 2009. This was a very important birth for the Jaguar European breeding programme given the genetic origin of the parents. Kalina, our female jaguar, has not had an easy life. She was captured very young and sold by drug dealers as a pet. She was seized by the veterinary authorities and given to our park. As she had never been able to learn from her mother, there were doubts about her ability to look after her cub. Happily everything went extremely well. Saka has become one of the visitor’s favourite cubs and is growing up to be big and strong under the watchful eyes of his parents.
In 2009, the Parc des Félins also had great success in breeding small cat species in particular:
• 2 Rusty-Spotted Cats (The smallest cat in the world. Only 5 were born in captivity in the world this year!)
• 1 Asiatic Golden Cat (One of the rarest species and very difficult to breed in captivity. Only 3 were born in captivity in the world this year!)
• 1 Margay (Only 2 were born in captivity in the world this year!)
• And also 3 Siberian Lynx, 3 Servals, 2 Geoffroy’s Cats and 2 Sand Cats!
These great results amply reward the hard work carried out by the park’s staff. In fact, 100% of cubs born in the park are raised by their mother. A nursery at the Parc des Félins? It would be quite simply pointless as the living conditions enjoyed by our animals allow them to take full responsibility for their offspring. With areas hidden from the public eye for more peace and quiet and minimum human intervention, our cats are guaranteed a psychological balance. This is ideal as cubs raised by an attentive mother will in turn be able to pass down the behavioural heritage of its species to their descendants.
All these cubs are born for the future, the future of our own children. We are making our small contribution to protect these species which are disappearing in the greatest indifference. It’s a way to allow future generations to make up for our mistakes…
Without a doubt, the year 2010 should be the year of the Panthers (all couples reaching sexual maturity) but also the Cheetahs, with the arrival not long ago of Snow, a young female from Ebeltoft Zoo in Denmark. We are full of hope. Come and support us – HELP THE FELINES!
A Basque shepherd gives his point of view on Mountain Bears. It is an opinion that is heard too rarely in this profession. An opinion based on verifiable data… and repeatedly checked. It’s strange that this kind of testimony is never shown on prime time television. The sterile confrontation between “left-wing ecologists” and “right-wing farmers” is so much more interesting. Not for the bears in any case! (Film in French language)
Autumn is here and the park and its animals are steadily preparing themselves for winter. The big cats are more active, are eating more and are growing their heavy winter fur. Make the most of the season and treat yourself to a guided visit!
How? It’s very simple. You just need to call the park on +33 (0)1 64.51.33.30 and book your visit with Sébastien (depending on availability). He will accompany you during a 2-hour visit during which you will discover our animals and get to hear many amusing anecdotes. An instructive and fun visit guaranteed!
Note : this service is only possible in French and English languages
For a 2-hour guided visit (entries to park not included), the price is:
• 60 euros for groups of up to 20 people,
• or 3 euros per person for groups of over 20.
• or 3 euros per person for groups of over 20.
This offer is available until 28 February 2010.
The Parc des Félins has a place of honour in the n°59 issue of ‘Lettre de la SECAS’, the journal (in French language) published by the Association of friends of zoological parks and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle.
In this issue, you can read a full interview with Patrick Jardin (in French), founder and director of the park, who recalls his career, his vision of the profession, his motivations to work in this field, the creation of CERZA and the Parc des Félins, the arrival of the lemurs, etc. The issue also contains an overview of the park in figures and a translation in French of the article published in English this year in EAZA NEWS n°66 (See News of 1 August 2009).
You can obtain this journal for 4€ by contacting the SECAS on 01.40.79.56.52 or by mail at the following address: Permanence SECAS - Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes - 57, rue Cuvier - CP31 - 75005 PARIS.
For new visitors to the park, this article is full of interesting information and anecdotes. Most certainly worth a read!
The beginning of a long story, and one which is not ready to end!
On 31 August 2006, ‘Le Parc des Félins d’Auneau’ closed its gates for good and started its migration to faraway Seine-et-Marne.
This day signaled the start of a new adventure for Patrick Jardin and his team with the creation of the Parc des Félins situated at Nesles. In the last 3 years the work that has been accomplished by the whole team is simply colossal (the park’s staff carry out all tasks) and the results speak for themselves; today the Parc des Félins is amongst the top 10 French zoological institutions welcoming the most visitors, and this despite a reduced number of animals living in large natural enclosures (almost 140 animals living in over 30 hectares, and since 2009, 40 lemurs living in over 1 hectare).
This day signaled the start of a new adventure for Patrick Jardin and his team with the creation of the Parc des Félins situated at Nesles. In the last 3 years the work that has been accomplished by the whole team is simply colossal (the park’s staff carry out all tasks) and the results speak for themselves; today the Parc des Félins is amongst the top 10 French zoological institutions welcoming the most visitors, and this despite a reduced number of animals living in large natural enclosures (almost 140 animals living in over 30 hectares, and since 2009, 40 lemurs living in over 1 hectare).
What is the secret of its success? Luck? Certainly not. The Parc des Félins is made up of a team of over 30 totally dedicated people working daily to convey an important message: Today the need to protect our planet and its wildlife is more urgent than ever.
As proof of this, the park unveiled three new attractions with a common theme to make us think about the place of mankind on our planet.
In 2010 the Park will continue in the same vein with the reorganisation of its own association to support, and why not, set up programmes to protect felines in their natural habitat. Since 2003, we have donated over 30,000€ to in-situ conservation projects. Today we have to do more. That’s why in 2010 we plan to install a new facility dedicated to conservation. But shh, don’t spoil the surprise!
2010 will be full of enhancements and surprises!
Time flies... The park opened its gates to the public 3 years ago today!
3 years of hard work amply rewarded by your loyalty. Many things have changed since our opening on 14 October 2006. Today all our residents enjoy living conditions which are amongst the best in the world and every day we look for new ways of doing more for our feline friends.
3 years of sharing our passion for life and animals...
3 years which have led us to even more commitment in conveying the urgent message of protecting our planet.
New projects are being set up with the aim that we open our eyes at last and act for the future of our planet!
Many thanks to all of you and looking forward to seeing you all next year to blow out our fourth candle together…
AN EXCEPTIONAL AUTUMN IN PERSPECTIVE!The first leaves are falling from the trees, a sign that summer is coming to an end!
After a very eventful summer – with the arrival of 40 lemurs and many baby cats - it would be a shame not to come back and enjoy a day out in the park!
In fact, autumn is the ideal season to watch the baby cats. This year saw the birth of 1 Margay, 2 Rusty-Spotted Cats, 2 Geoffroy’s Cats, 2 Sand Cats, 1 Asiatic Golden Cat, 3 Servals, 1 Jaguar and finally 2 new Angolan Lion cubs! (You will find many photos taken by the park’s amateur photographers on the website Bénélux Photo Nature)
With cooler temperatures and the kids going back to school, they will be a lot more inquisitive and active… and easier to see.
For September opening times, click here.
In addition, from 1 September Lemur Island will be open every afternoon from 1.30 pm. Finally, the information tent will be open in the afternoon at weekends only.
See you soon!
CONFERENCE - SATURDAY, 15 AUGUSTTomorrow, our lemur and Madagascar specialist speaker, Lucie Derussé, will be giving talks at 13:45, 15:15 and 17:15 on Lemur Island. Don’t miss it!
Photo panoramique : Serge Signore
Photos de Lémuriens : Grégory Breton
SOMETHING TO SAY
Patrick Jardin, with Antenor and Acro. (Photo by Eric Simon)
"The park has been open for nearly 3 years now and a considerable amount of work has been accomplished by the various teams. After Cerza Lisieux and the Félins d’Auneau where I spent time preparing and reflecting upon what the Parc des félins should be, I am delighted to be able to say that it has been a great success. It is amazing!
Why?
A Zoological Success
You all regularly follow our news, with of course many important births, but what is most important to me is the healthy behaviour of our cats, and that the animals are fit and well and growing old in good health. The great difficulty is how to keep these animals, whose ancestors came from the wild, in enclosures which are, in my opinion still too small. I don’t know the answer and don’t know if I ever will.
You all regularly follow our news, with of course many important births, but what is most important to me is the healthy behaviour of our cats, and that the animals are fit and well and growing old in good health. The great difficulty is how to keep these animals, whose ancestors came from the wild, in enclosures which are, in my opinion still too small. I don’t know the answer and don’t know if I ever will.
An Educational Success
Grégory and his team have made enormous efforts to convey the extent to which felines are endangered species (see Grégory’s article of 19 July). We are “animal ambassadors” in the words of Pierre Gay of the Doué La Fontaine zoo. As you leave the park after having chatted with Sébastien, are you convinced that we need to change our buying habits? The day after you visit do you still use products containing palm oil without a thought for the tigers that are dying? It’s a hard struggle every day, but we believe in it!
Grégory and his team have made enormous efforts to convey the extent to which felines are endangered species (see Grégory’s article of 19 July). We are “animal ambassadors” in the words of Pierre Gay of the Doué La Fontaine zoo. As you leave the park after having chatted with Sébastien, are you convinced that we need to change our buying habits? The day after you visit do you still use products containing palm oil without a thought for the tigers that are dying? It’s a hard struggle every day, but we believe in it!
A Successful Venture
45 seasonal team members, 236,000 visitors in 2007 and 2008, and I think that our success will be more than confirmed in 2009 with 250,000 visitors. It is almost unbelievable – the “zoo” with the least number of animals in France and the lowest density (3 animals per hectare!) is in the Top 10 of French zoological parks in terms of visitors and management. Proof that the revival of zoos is underway and that everything is possible!
45 seasonal team members, 236,000 visitors in 2007 and 2008, and I think that our success will be more than confirmed in 2009 with 250,000 visitors. It is almost unbelievable – the “zoo” with the least number of animals in France and the lowest density (3 animals per hectare!) is in the Top 10 of French zoological parks in terms of visitors and management. Proof that the revival of zoos is underway and that everything is possible!
I turn to the small percentage of visitors who feel they don’t see enough felines when they visit; first of all it is impossible for everyone in front of an enclosure to see the animals moving or playing at all times of the day every day! Even our very active lemurs take an afternoon nap.
What do you want? I cannot imagine that you have no respect for life or that you don’t like animals. I cannot imagine that you approve of squalid cages or the degrading animal shows of the past. So, what do you want? The park staff and I would hear from you: info@parc-des-felins.com
Our progress, your loyalty (55% of visitors have already been to the park and there are over 2,000 annual pass-holders) and the quality of the articles published in the press allow me to be able to say to you that a great adventure is underway. Thanks to all of you - next year we will be celebrating our 1,000,000th visitor together!”
Patrick Jardin
Director and Founder
Director and Founder
PROGRAMME FOR SATURDAY 15 AUGUSTFor the last time this year, on Saturday 15 August, the park will be staying open late until 9 pm!
During the day you will have the pleasure of meeting and listening to Lucie Derussé, lemur specialist and member of the association ‘Antongil’, an organisation working for the protection of these animals in Madagascar. She will be giving two talks during the day on our islands accompanied by our 40 lemurs that are free to roam in an area covering one hectare. The times will be communicated to you shortly.
 |
 |
Lucie Derussé, on the island of Nosy Mangabe, Madagascar
Finally, you will also have the opportunity to meet Renaud "Hopedraft" Dumartin, an artist who will be coming to the park for the first time to paint and exhibit his paintings of cats and lemurs (more details on his website :www.hopedraft.com).
Renaud Dumartin in action
ARTICLE IN "EAZA NEWS"To illustrate our success in breeding rare small cats (Jaguarundis, Asiatic Golden Cat, Margays, Rusty-Spotted Cats...), Grégory Breton and Sébastien Verdin wrote an article in English which was published in the latest issue of EAZA News (issue#66, page 26-27), the quarterly publication of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.
Two baby jaguarundis, 2 baby Asiatic Golden cats, 1 margay and 2 baby Rusty-Spotted cats in less that a year – that’s worth celebrating!!!!
Click on the photo below to open, read and save the pdf.
This issue of EAZA News can be freely downloaded on the EAZA site:
Many thanks to the photographers among the park’s visitors who gave us authorisation to publish their photos.
OVER A YEAR’S WORTH OF PHOTOS FOR ‘PHOTO OF THE DAY’! The posting of your photos on our website in the ‘Photo of the Day’ section has met with a tremendous success.
Today, over 500 photos have been sent in by you, faithful visitors, since the creation of the section in December 2008. All the photos are on our server and half are awaiting validation.
As we have over a year’s worth of photos, we have decided to suspend the posting of any new photos until early 2010.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Park Staff
TIGERS ARE DISAPPEARING… SLOWLY BUT SURELY!The Tiger is an endangered species. It’s a fact!
What is difficult to accept is that they are slowly but surely disappearing from our planet.
We have known for the past thirty years that the species is in great danger and despite the resources made available to protect this iconic animal, its numbers continue to decline.
The proof comes with yet more bad news: The Panna Nature Reserve in India, which 3 years ago had around twenty tigers, officially no longer has any whatsoever!
After the Sariska nature reserve in 2005, it is now the turn of the Panna nature reserve to lose their tigers forever.
The cause: POACHING
The cause: POACHING
The reason: To meet the demand for tiger products. These products are used excessively in traditional Chinese medicine, despite the fact that they have no proven medicinal value.
For more details about this sad event, here is a link to an article in the English newspaper ‘The Independent’:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/the-big-question-can-indias-tigers-be-saved-or-are-they-now-doomed-to-disappear-1748077.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/the-big-question-can-indias-tigers-be-saved-or-are-they-now-doomed-to-disappear-1748077.html
It’s an insidious problem. In addition to direct poaching, diminishing forests force tigers to come out into the open, leading to confrontation with humans…
Will the last wild tiger be shot down in 2030?
Grégory Breton
PROGRAMME FOR 12 JULY 2009Here is the programme for next Sunday:
11 am -6 pm: Make-up for children (limited number of tickets!)
3.30 pm: Conference with Gilbert Simon, Vice-President of FERUS: "What is the State of our Carnivores in Europe?" (in French)
5 pm: Showing of the documentary "The Iberian Lynx: A feline in danger " (in French)
From 6.30 pm: Barbecue
6.45 pm: Celtic concert with the group “Poivre & Celte”
9 pm: Special late closing of the park at 9 pm!
THIRD NEW ATTRACTION OF 2009: LEMUR ISLANDIt is with great pleasure that we announce the opening of our third new attraction, Lemur Island, on Saturday 11 July at 10 am.
27 lemurs are already living in the park and some discovered their new home only yesterday. Here are a few photos:
 |
 |
From this Saturday you will be able to see 32 lemurs up close and in complete freedom, as long as the rules (clearly indicated in the new circuit) are respected. The lemurs will be visible every day in July and August.
8 other lemurs will be arriving at the end of July bringing the population to 40 animals belonging to 5 different species.
You will be able to discover of course the famous Ring-tailed Lemurs, but also Red Ruffed Lemurs (left), Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs, Crowned Lemurs (right) and Black Lemurs.
We hope you will enjoy this new attraction. Keeping a group in such a spacious and beautiful habitat is very rare in captivity!
See you soon!
The Park Staff
A SPECIAL DAY AT THE ‘PARC DES FELINS’!On Sunday, 12 July 2009 the park will stay open until 9 pm!
Special events include a Celtic music group, make-up artists, and a conference with our prestigious guest Gilbert Simon, Vice-President of the WWF (branch of France).
THIRD NEW ATTRACTION FOR 2009: LEMUR ISLANDDue to events beyond our control, we were not able to open our third new attraction of the year within the planned timeframe. We apologise for this and thank you for your understanding.
We cannot give an exact date for the opening of our islands to the public, but we’ll keep you posted on the website as soon as possible.
For information, the first lemurs arrived safely in the park last week and others will arrive shortly. The animals are fit and well but cannot be seen for the moment.
Once the islands are open to the public, you can watch the lemurs in their incredible new habitat. Enthusiasts will be able to spend hours in this new circuit!
For more information, stay tuned!
The Park Staff
CHRISTIAN RENAUT EXHIBITIONThe artist Christian Renaut will be exhibiting his new works at the ‘Parc des Félins’ from 11-15 July 2009. He will be at the park during this period doing some painting and will be available for a chat and to answer any questions you may have.
For more information about this artist: www.christianrenaut.fr
|
|
|
 |
 |
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE PARK!From Monday, 15 June 2009, you will be able to reach the Parc des Félins by public transport! The Seine-et-Marne regional council and the coach company Darche-Gros, have partnered together to provide access to our Park by creating a coach stop near to the park entrance on the ‘Seine et Marne Express’ service n°1 route.
This route is open to the general public upon presentation of a valid ticket. The coach runs all year round from Monday to Saturday, except public holidays.
The coach runs from MELUN to REBAIS, passing through COULOMMIERS.
This is good news for residents of the Paris region as the park is now accessible to people without a car! From Paris, our visitors can now reach the n°1 coach line either by the RER D (get off at Melun), or the Transilien Paris Est (get off at Verneuil l’Etang or Coulommiers).
You can download the timetable HERE.
For further information, click on the following link: http://www.seine-et-marne.fr/front/go.do?sid=se_d_placer_d_une_ville___l_autre_11220397607037978
Here is map of the "Seine-et-Marne Express" route.
A B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L PARK!!!At this time of year, the forest in which the park is located is really magnificent! In addition, our technical team is doing a remarkable job with the upkeep of the park, in keeping with our mindset, that is to say mowing as little as possible in order to reconcile the needs of the animals and visitors. Our educational staff is also present every day to provide information.
So don’t hesitate to come a visit us at this time of year when the foliage is at its most luxuriant! And if you come to visit around 3 pm after the school trips have finished, you’ll have the park practically to yourselves.
Here are some photos of the estate at the moment.
ACCOUNT OF LAURIE MARKER’S VISIT TO THE ‘PARC DES FELINS’!
On 8 May, the Parc des Félins had the honour and pleasure of welcoming Dr Laurie Marker, the world’s greatest cheetah specialist and founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund– an organisation dedicated to the protection of the species since 1990!
Dr Marker came to present her work and the struggle she has been leading for the last 20 years with great determination to promote the cause of the cheetah in Namibia and worldwide.
In the end more than 200 people turned up for the conference, which gave us great satisfaction!
After Laurie’s presentation and a question and answer session, the Parc des Félins announced that it was donating 1,000€ to the CCF.
A documentary was then screened entitled “Laurie Marker, pour l’amour des guépards’, (in French) directed by Natacha Calestrémé in Namibia. Many of you have expressed your wish to see this film again. For information, it can be downloaded for 4.99€ using the following link: http://www.vodeo.tv/lire/94-23-4147-laurie-marker-pour-l-amour-des-guepards.html
We would like to thank all those who attended the conference – the success of which has convinced us to repeat the experience in the future. Finally, this conference was organised in collaboration with a new association called amifélins and we would like to take the opportunity to thank all the members present that day for their participation and enthusiasm.
Here are a few photos of a very memorable day…
 |
 |
|
Laurie Marker visiting the park’s cheetahs (with Miquette, a very affectionate female) |
4.15 pm: Already a big queue in front of the tent |
 |
 |
|
200 people turned up for the conference Everyone has to find a seat… |
Grégory Breton and Sébastien Verdin on stage for a brief introduction |
 |
 |
|
Laurie Marker, and Patrice Aubry of the ‘Amifélins’ association acting as impromptu interpreter, in front of a captive audience |
Laurie Marker speaks with passion and determination about her struggle to save the cheetah |
 |
 |
|
The conference proved very worthwhile, because today, many learnt for the first time about the serious threat to cheetahs |
Laurie Marker and Bruce Brewer of the CCF, surrounded by Patrick Jardin, Jonathan Patin and Grégory Breton of the ‘Parc des Félins’ |
PHOTOS OF OUR 4 LION CUBS AT WROCLAW ZOO!
Many of you have been asking for news of our 4 lion cubs born in 2007 who recently left for Wroclaw Zoo (Poland). Well, we can tell you that they are doing very well! Here are a few photos of them. Admittedly their enclosure is a lot smaller than it was here, but there is a lot of vegetation and so the cubs can continue to roll in the grass and try their hand at climbing trees…
|
|
|
|
|
|
VOLUME 2 OF THE ‘PARC DES FELINS’ DVD NOW AVAILABLE!
Volume 2 of the ‘Parc des Félins’ DVD is available in our shop today!
This DVD contains 3 different films (in French language) with some stunning sequences showing the beauty of cats. Certain scenes are very rare on film due to the difficulty of filming them.
The 3 films are:-
1. Learning with Cats – an educational film for all ages
2. Save the Cats – a film about captive breeding programmes
3. Just Like a Kitten – a film starring our kittens and cubs in action!
The DVD also has a multimedia track containing the park’s new educational workbooks to use at home or school, from kindergarten to 3rd grade. Over 80 pages of games and exercises available on your computer!
Finally, it is important to point out that the educational workbooks were compiled by our eductional team and voluntary teachers in accordance with the the science curriculum. The 1st film and the workbooks are great teaching tools for teachers wanting to address the subject of wildlife with their students.
The new DVD is available from today in our shop for 14.90€ or by mail order for 18€ (postage included, cheque made payable to Parc des Félins).
LAURIE MARKER COMES TO THE PARC DES FELINS!This Friday, 8 May 2009, the Parc des Félins has the great honour of welcoming Dr LAURIE MARKER, the world’s greatest expert on cheetahs, for her only conference in France (see News of 20 April for more details).
The conference will begin at 4.30 pm in a big 300 m² tent set up near the park entrance. After her lecture, Dr Marker will answer your questions and there will be a projection of a film about her work in Namibia!
Once your park entrance fee paid, the conference is free of charge and open to all. A good reason for spending the whole day at the park!
Finally, here is an excellent glimpse of Laurie Marker and her work with cheetahs in a feature by the photographer Christophe Lepetit who followed her in her work in 2008. Happy viewing!
Laurie Marker with a cheetah (Copyright: Christophe Lepetit – CCF)
MISSION NATURE TO OPEN ON 1st MAY!After a week of “full-scale” testing, the park’s second new attraction of 2009, MISSION NATURE, will be operational on 1st May!
Come and discover this eco-entertaining expedition, devised by Patrick Jardin, director and founder of the park, and created by members of staff and TV Sud 77.
AGENDA FOR 1st MAY!
On Friday, 1st May 2009, the Parc des Félins will stay open late until 9 pm!
You will be able to observe the animals at length during their most active period of the day (which starts at 5 pm).
There will also be 5 speakers present: (communication in French language)
- Myriam Dupuis, President of the association Tendua, will be speaking about Amur Leopards and the urgency for action and raising money for this species, of which there are only 30 individuals remaining in the wild.
- Yves Lefèvre, of the association Tendua, will be speaking about the corridors which have been set up in between forests to promote carnivore conservation.
- Alain Pons, a renowned photographer, will be talking about his profession and explaining the reasons why he is in favour of setting up conservation corridors for the Bengal Tiger in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Yves Knapp, will be speaking about French spiders and the different species which can be found around the park.
- And finally, members of the ‘Association Naturaliste de la Vallée du Loing et du Massif de Fontainebleau’ (ANVL) will be presenting the results of a census of mammals in the Seine-et-Marne.
- Myriam Dupuis, President of the association Tendua, will be speaking about Amur Leopards and the urgency for action and raising money for this species, of which there are only 30 individuals remaining in the wild.
- Yves Lefèvre, of the association Tendua, will be speaking about the corridors which have been set up in between forests to promote carnivore conservation.
- Alain Pons, a renowned photographer, will be talking about his profession and explaining the reasons why he is in favour of setting up conservation corridors for the Bengal Tiger in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Yves Knapp, will be speaking about French spiders and the different species which can be found around the park.
- And finally, members of the ‘Association Naturaliste de la Vallée du Loing et du Massif de Fontainebleau’ (ANVL) will be presenting the results of a census of mammals in the Seine-et-Marne.
There will also be a stand run by the 'Pie Verte Bio 77' association which carries out surveys on Hen Harriers and amphibians in the Seine-et-Marne.
There will be music from a Celtic group from the Seine-et-Marne, ‘Poivre et Celte’, who will play three mini-concerts during the day!
And last but not least, 2 make-up artists will be on hand to turn your children into tigers, lions or any other cats that take their fancy!
These activities and lectures will take place from 11 am onwards near the entrance to the park in a large 300 m² tent specially set up for the occasion.
Everybody’s welcome!
ANNUAL PASS-HOLDERS’ EVENING - SLIDESHOWDear Pass-holders,
During the course of our special evening (see ‘News’ of 10 April) you will be given the possibility of projecting onto a big screen your best 15 photos taken in the park.
If you would like to participate in this slideshow, please burn your photos in format .jpg, and in the highest definition possible, onto a CD which you can either hand in at the park entrance or send to us by post. Remember to inlay your name on each photo (just your name, not that of the animal).
Looking forward to seeing your photos!
The Park’s staff.
PROGRAMME FOR THE ANNUAL PASS-HOLDERS’ EVENINGOn Friday, 19 June 2009, from 8 pm onwards, we will be holding the first special evening for Parc des Félins annual pass-holders!
If you are an annual pass-holder, this evening is for you and your family. To find out more about the programme, practical details and registration form, click on this link (in French).
Please note that the evening is reserved for only the first 500 people registered.
You don’t yet have an annual pass? It’s not too late to join our “happy family” of Parc des Félins annual pass-holders.
See you soon…
The park’s staff
SPECIAL GUEST AT THE PARC DES FELINS!
Save the date: On Friday, 8 May 2009, the Parc des Félins will have the great honour of welcoming Dr Laurie Marker – the world’s greatest expert on cheetahs - for a unique lecture in France.
Laurie Marker is to cheetahs what Diane Fossey was to mountain gorillas or Jane Goodall is to chimpanzees: a model of determination and passion in support of the protection of an animal species.
Most of our knowledge about this magnificent animal – which is the fastest land animal – comes from this American lady, who in 1979 left her country, her family and friends to settle in Namibia so that she could get to better know and protect cheetahs.
Laurie Marker with a cheetah (Copyright : Christophe Lepetit – CCF)
Unfortunately, this emblematic species is today one of the most endangered big cats. In 1900 there were over 100,000 cheetahs in the wild, and today there are only 12,000 animals left, which is an optimistic estimate. We have to act quickly if we don't want this great sprinter to disappear for ever. It is for this reason that in 1990 Laurie Marker set up the Cheetah Conservation Fund, a non-profit-making organisation whose mission is to become a centre of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems. This organisation focuses today on centralising all known information about cheetahs both in the wild and in captivity, as Laurie is also the person responsible for the international breeding studbook for the species.
Laurie Marker will be with us on Friday, 8 May for a day specially dedicated to the protection of cheetahs. It is her only visit to France so don’t miss it! During the day she will share with us her passion for this animal, the reasons for its rarefaction and during the lecture will describe her work carried out in Namibia. You will also be able to watch an exclusive documentary about cheetahs.
We hope that you will join us for this one-off event which is organised in partnership with the Parc des Felins and the Amifelins association.
This year, the Parc des Félins will have a special late-opening until 9 p.m. on three days in the year!
Make a note in your diaries: We will be open until 9 pm on Friday 1st May, Sunday 12 July and Saturday 15 August.
As well as being able to observe the animals during their most active period of the day, several speakers will be present during the day to talk about cats and other carnivores as part of the EAZA European Carnivore Campaign (see ‘News’ of 30 March). The agenda will be announced shortly.
Last but not least, we are looking for 2 make-up artists to run a make-up stand on these 3 days. If you are interested, please contact Sébastien on 01.64.51.33.30.
SLIGHT DELAY IN THE OPENING OF OUR SECOND NEW ATTRACTIONFor technical reasons, our second new attraction of 2009 - MISSION NATURE - WILL NOT BE OPEN to the public as from Easter as announced in our 2009 brochure.
The opening date for this new attraction will be posted on the website shortly.
The park’s staff presents its apologies for this setback.
EVENING RESERVED FOR ANNUAL PASS HOLDERS'Le Parc des Félins' is organising a private event for annual pass holders which will take place on Friday, 19 June 2009. Note the date!
More information will be announced shortly. Please note that the number of places is limited and a valid annual pass will be required for you to be able to participate with your family.
2009: THE YEAR OF THE CARNIVORES!Each year, the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) – to which 'Le Parc des Félins' belongs – launches a vast conservation campaign in order to raise public awareness and finance conservation projects concerning endangered species and disappearing natural habitats.
The focus of this year’s conservation campaign is European carnivores, the objective being to widen knowledge about them and to protect 10 emblematic species.
Do you recognise them? The three European felines are there, as well as the bear, wolf, otter and other animals which were widespread in France only a few decades ago.
'Le Parc des Félins' decided to take part in this campaign to try and combat the ignorance and misconceptions which have led to the decline of these species and their risk of extinction.
The objective? Collect as much money as possible to contribute to the development of these projects. That’s why we need you, nature and cat lovers.
How? By making a donation when you come and visit the park.
Also, to mark the occasion and promote the campaign, we will organise 3 special events this year with guest speakers, activities and other surprises… Dates and programmes will be posted here at a later date.
This campaign is of the utmost importance. How can we really hope to save species such as the Tiger or Cheetah while we treat our own carnivores so badly? The balance of our ecosystems depends on these animals because they regulate the population of herbivores.
Today one thing is certain: “No Planet without Felines!”, but also “No Europe without Carnivores!” We’re relying on you!
For more information about the Carnivore Campaign, you can watch the small film below and take a look at the website www.carnivorecampaign.eu
150 YEARS AGO...
It was 150 years ago that an Englishman published a book which was to revolutionise the understanding of our planet, the relationship between all living things and how humans fit into it, and our vision of the world. As a result of his works, we understand that Mankind plays an integral part in nature and this idea has not been easy to accept.
That man was Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882). The year 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of his major work “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection” and also the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Although he was not the only person to have worked on the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin is the one who expressed the idea by which all animals, plants and other life forms on our planet evolved over millions of years by a process called natural selection.
In more simple terms, he discovered the mechanism which can be summed up as follows: the strongest animals survived and were able to transmit their characteristics to their descendants. At the time, notions of genetics were in their early days. Today we know that those that survive best are the individuals that behave in the appropriate way: to react and succeed in different situations. It is a mechanism that is ‘passive’, as the individual organisms in question are not aware that they are continuing the species by passing on their genes.
His findings contradicted religious ideas of the time and unfortunately for Charles Darwin, have done so ever since! His theory was therefore not particularly well received and he himself was strongly attacked and caricatured by the media and general public, even in France, where there was a pseudo-conflict with the supporters of the adaptive theory of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck... The difficulty of understanding Darwin’s complex theory comes from the fact that it is difficult to understand it on a human scale. In the end, even today, who can explain it in just a few words?
Today the mechanism of natural selection has been vindicated on numerous occasions and strengthened by progress in the fields of genetics and molecular biology. The theory of evolution is very robust today and no other theory can measure up to it. How can we still believe today that the creation of all life forms on Earth happened instantaneously with a magic wand?
On the contrary, many people understood the practical applications resulting from the theory of evolution. It also had a lot of influence not only on medicine and agriculture but also on art and politics. The British government understood this and in 2000 the portrait of Dickens (another Charles) was replaced with a portrait of Darwin on the back of £10 notes.
An interesting fact to end with: the Church, which outrageously criticised Darwin and his theory 150 years ago, finally recognised and accepted the importance of his works in 2008, just before the anniversary year.
Darwin was buried in Westminster Abbey in London (after strong petitioning by his supporters). His tomb, situated near the monument to the glory of the physician Isaac Newton, has no statue and no commentary - at least it didn’t in July 2008. For more information on Darwin and the events linked to the celebration of this double anniversary in Great Britain, you can consult these two sites: http://www.darwin-online.org.uk/ and www.darwin200.org.
Gregory Breton
FIRST NEW ARRIVAL OF 2009!And that is exactly what happened because on 12 February 2009 the female, Emma, gave birth to a male cub. He is fit and healthy and already weighed 800g at one month old (see photo below).
He has taken his first steps outside the breeding box and was seen yesterday, Thursday 19 March, in one of the dens in his mother’s enclosure. You will be able to see him on your visit to the park’s American circuit. We are the only park in France to breed this species.This birth is the first of 2009 and there are high chances it will be the first of a long series as couples of several species have reached sexual maturity. We’ll have to be patient and let nature take its course…
FIRST NEW ATTRACTION OF 2009: THE MALAYAN TIGERS As announced in our new brochure, the first new attraction of 2009 will be open to the public on FRIDAY, 13 MARCH!
For the first time in France you will be able to admire from the top of a 5-metre high observation tower TWO MALAYAN TIGERS (Panthera tigris jacksoni) in their 3-hectare woodland enclosure!
The two tigers, Sirius and Johann, were born in Halle Zoo (Germany) and are 16 months old. They arrived safely at the Parc des Félins in early February. After a month’s adaptation period getting used to the keepers, the food and the facilities, they are now able to fully explore their new enclosure, which is one of the biggest ever built for tigers in captivity!
Join us on FRIDAY, 13 MARCH from 10 am for access to the observation tower and at 2.30 pm for the grand opening of this attraction together with Patrick Jardin, the park’s director and founder.
 |
|
Sirius, the first Malayan tiger exploring his new enclosure (copyright : G. Breton) |
VERY SHY CATS & AN AMAZING MAN...During a recent trip to South Africa, Grégory Breton, the park's curator, was able to accompany on field mission Dr Alexander Sliwa, the only person in the world to study the behaviour of the Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) in the wild.
Here is a brief summary of the trip :
"Here are the first photos from South Africa... but they're not mine! They show a black-footed cat called Jason who took refuge in a tree after we arrived in our vehicle on the evening of 19 February. These photos were taken by my German colleague from Cologne Zoo, Alexander Sliwa, who is the only person in the world to study the behaviour of this animal in the wild and has been since 1991!"
 |
 |
|
A black-footed cat up in a tree: a very, very rare sighting(copyright : A. Sliwa) |
Close-up of the cat, who is called Jason(copyright : A. Sliwa) |
"I have known about this researcher's study for a long time now and he gave me the opportunity to go and join him on this study site to observe one of these timid black-footed cats... In the end, I was quite spoilt as not only did I spot the cat in a tree (very rare), but I am now also one of the only people in the world (the 3rd after Alex) to have witnessed the capture of a Cape hare by another cat the day before!"
 |
 |
|
Jason trying to stay out of sight (copyright : A. Sliwa) |
Jason, still hiding before wnishing into the bush (copyright : A. Sliwa) |
"Some technical details: We were able to identify the cats by radio collars that Alexander had fitted them with during the previous weeks. However, I must point out that even with this device, animals of this size remain extremely difficult to locate in the South-Afican bush, even when a signal is detected!"
"I can affirm that very few people have the ability to do this work. Since his PhD, Aexander has acquired an extraordinary expertise. He is capable of driving a four-by-four in the bush whilst juggling with the various receiving antennas he uses to capture the signals sent out by the radio collars, and incredibly, amidst all this chaos, he is capable of detecting the slightest signal!!! Last but not least, he possesses an unfailing determination and amazing physical fitness. Every discovery made about this species is due to THIS man alone. Bravo!"
 |
 |
|
Alexander, trying to detect a signal indicating the direction in which to search for a cat (copyright : G. Breton) |
View overlooking the black-footed cat's natural habitat(copyright : G. Breton) |
"I would like to thank Alexander for letting me join him during my trip to South Africa and for sharing his photos with us. Finally, as a bonus, here are two pictures of the cat's natural habitat with its biotope an a beautiful sunset (this time they are my photos!)" Grégory Breton
 |
 |
|
Typical natural habitat of the black-footed cat (with hartebeest and a termite mound in this shot) (copyright : G. Breton) |
Sunset at Benfontein (copyright : G. Breton) |
PS : For further information, here is the research project site: http://www.black-footed-cat.wild-cat.org/
A POSITIVE WINTER REVIEW
We cannot say that we have had a mild winter this year. Temperatures were very low (down to -15°C) and the park was covered in a nice layer of snow for several days at the beginning of the year.
Since the reopening of the park on 13 January, we have often been asked the same questions: “Are the cats coping with the cold weather?”, “Are they all alright?”…
The answer is yes! This is because the majority of cats are not really sensitive to cold, even lions, who only a few decades ago were still living in the Atlas Mountains (before being wiped out by Man… as is often the case).
For those species most sensitive to cold (usually the smaller species), everything has been planned for. The shelters are heated so the temperature does not fall below 10°C, and the cats can easily snuggle up in the thick layers of straw.
Here are some photos of our Siberian tigers in the snow in January…
Copyright : Grégory Breton
THE FIRST NEWCOMERS OF 2009...
On 22 January, prior to the arrival of the Malaysian tigers in February, the park welcomed two new cats born in Rotterdam Zoo (
The arrival of these animals constitutes a new challenge for our team, as since our move in 2006 these two species have not yet bred at Nesles (not surprising for the rusty-spotted cats – we only had females!).
These two species each have their own European Breeding Programme in which we were very actively involved whilst based in our old park at Auneau, resulting in the births of 4 rusty-spotted cats and 6 fishing cats!
At present these two captive breeding programmes are in need of a boost, especially since the Fishing Cat is becoming increasingly threatened and in 2008 went from the ‘Vulnerable’ to the ‘Endangered’ category on the IUCN Red List!
It is therefore important for us be able to continue our contribution to the protection of these two species.
NEW ATTRACTIONS ANNOUNCED IN THE NEW PARK BROCHURE! The park's new brochure is now available!
You can download it here in low resolution (3,04 Mo) or ask for a copy at the main reception.
In the brochure you will find the 3 new attractions mentioned by Patrick Jardin, the park's director, in his new year's message.
-
In March 2009, you will be able to admire our new Malaysian tigers from the top of a 5-metre high observation tower! Because we want to protect even more tiger sub-species...
-
In April 2009, you will be able to climb aboard the Explorer N59P for Mission Nature, a totally new eco-entertaining journey! Because we want to pursue our commitment for the protection of our planet and develop our educational vocation...
-
In May 2009, you will be able to admire some new endangered species living in a total freedom on our islands! Because Madagascar is very near to the African continent...
See you soon!!!
All rights reserved © LE PARC DES FELINS - 2003/2010 - Copyright et credits |
||
Site optimized for a minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 with any browser. |
||