Bioparc

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Close to the Loire Valley, the Bioparc of Doué la Fontaine is located in an ancient troglodyte site, making it unique in the world.

It sits in a shelled sedimentary rock quarry with luxuriant vegetation, watered by numerous waterfalls. The falun, a regional typical sedimentary rock formed from marine deposits more than 11 million years ago, is a friable rock that enables the design of sceneries adapted to each species. (Friable means easily crumbled or pulverized soil.)

Covering 38 acres, the Bioparc offers two geographically organized levels, based around islands and vast animal spaces.  And 38 acres, my friends, means a lot of walking!

Throughout the park, there are these amazing sculptures - some of wood, others of stone.  This one was probably the most intricate.

Karl and I, of the monkey family!

A baby giraffe in French is called "un girafon". 



 I could swear this zebra was saying "How the heck did I get here.  I'm SO bored!"

Another beautifully carved sculpture.



We are entering the reptile centre.

It was feeding time for this croc and her 4 young ones.  The Bioparc attendant was tossing them little pink mice, dead of course.  Talk about being fast to snatch them up!



The okapi.  An indecisive lady who isn't quite sure if she should be dressing like a zebra, but is trying it out for size.

Grooming

Delicate long legs.

"Climbing to meet my mates".

Sculptures are found at every corner.

"How do you like my hat?  Fascinator au naturel!"



Many long-beaked birds. 

An elusive cat!   Can barely see him through the foliage.

This is what some of the blinds look like so that we can study skittish animals without disturbing them.

"No, I am not the one who brings babies.  Ask my cousin!"

Humbolt penguins!  We saw so many of these in Antarctica and now they are on the Vulnerable list.  Too many species are on the Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered Lists.

 Beautiful waterfalls throughout the park.

A few photos of the Troglodyte setting.

This could not be duplicated in any other zoo without the same soil content.

Hello, pretty boy!

A flamboyance of flamingoes

"Oh, do take that photo over again - from my good side!"

My take away from this visit: The animals all slow down in mid-afternoon to rest in the heat of the day.  I will adopt their behaviour and never miss a "sieste" again!

The "falun" has been carved to create steps, which are perfect for goats or for people who wish to sit in an amphitheatre setting to watch shows of the birds of prey.

Although I did not get a photo of the vultures up close, I did learn a few facts during our visit.  One of the African vultures has a beautiful collar, and this plumage is to soak up the blood and stop it from running into its feathers.

A vulture can sniff out the carcasses of dead animals in a thicket or in a scree as far away as 4 km.  It tears away the tender flesh as well as the toughest tendons and is rid of a carcass within 15 minutes.

Vultures surf on rising currents of warm air, thermals, which they use to soar high in the sky, up to 2,000 meters in 15 minutes before gliding 30 kms away to the next thermal, all this without flapping their wings!  Thousands of square miles are explored this way while saving 97% of their energy.

Stopping for lunch, Karl enjoyed a beer specially brewed for the Bioparc.  It is called "La Blonde", referring to one of the giraffes.

These tortoises are immense and really look ancient.

Press the Play button to see how fast these tortoises really move.

More beautiful sculptures.  They are so intricate!

Little white faces posing for a photo.

 This sly cat is lying in the shade and is actually quite difficult to see.

Happy as a hippo in mud!



Rhinos

"Hire me as your local lawn mower.  I work fast for grass." 

I think this little goat escaped the African farm enclosure.

A very long-tailed monkey.  Don't remember the correct name.

Otters

A Mongolian yurt.



Snow leopard lying very still.  Only saw his ear twitch.

***

"Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life."

~  His Holiness the Dalai Lama