Visit to Réserve Zoologique de Calviac

Visit to Réserve Zoologique de Calviac
11-08-2012

The Réserve Zoologique de Calviac is situated in the Dordogne region in France, near the town of Sarlat and about 3 hours drive east of Bordeaux. The region around is very attractive with medieval towns and castles, and is a very popular vacation region for the French, though not so much on the foreign tourism route. It is the only zoo within the region.

This zoo is situated on the side of a wooded hill that gives it a beautiful aspect but makes access a little difficult. It actually occupies the site of an abandoned hamlet, and some of the old cottages are used for the entry. The actual entry is probably the most beautiful of any zoo I have visited.

The zoo opened in 2008, and is the brain child of Director Emmanuel Mouton, who can usually be found at the zoo. Today it is owned by the Institut Calviac Biodiversity, a not for profit organisation he started. It has over 150 animals of 29 species, mostly mammals but also a few birds.

The zoo is divided into four zones, Europe, Madagascar, South America and Oceania. The animal collection while small is made up of some very unususal and endangered species. Every opportunity is made to bring visitors close to the animals. All the lemurs, for instance, are in walk through enclosures.

Arbourial mammals are enclosed in large aviary structures, and make use of the forest to provide plenty of climbing opportunities. One of my favourite enclosures was the fossa, built on the side of the hill. I enjoyed watching a fossa climb through the forest, one of the best enclosures that I have encountered. The zoo succeeded in breeding fossas, this year, the only one in Europe this year apparently.

This is a zoo that takes its conservation credentials seriously, and every visitor has the opportunity to direct 1 euro of their admission to an in-situ conservation program of their choice. In addition there is a 1 euro deduction on the admission for visitors who arrive by bus or bike.

Personally this is the type of zoo I like dedicated to conservation and full of interesting species. But any visitor will enjoy the beautiful surroundings and close contact with the animals.

11-08-2012

Hi MRJ,

Will u be posting pictures of this zoo It sounds great, in particular woud love to see a good fossa enclosure.

12-08-2012

Have added some shots to the gallery. Hope they help.

12-08-2012

that fossa enclosure looks very good, certainly better than any others I've seen photos of.

12-08-2012

Thx MRJ,

Looks very good.