I have been granted permission to post the information which is available to the public regarding visits to Loro Parque’s private breeding centre. All of this information is available online, or is provided by email correspondence or direct correspondence with the park. The problem is that it is very difficult to procure and that it takes a while to get hold of some of the facts; I have met a few people who have also had failed attempts at visiting the centre. The breeding centre is home to the world’s largest collection of parrots; their website describes it as “the world’s biggest and most diverse genetic reserve of parrots, with 360 species and subspecies and over 3600 specimens.” The best opportunity to visit is perhaps as part of the programme during the International Parrot Convention. The convention takes place once every four years; next is September 2014. This year is the 20th anniversary of Loro Parque’s Fundacion, so the website claims that the congress will be “full of pleasant surprises”. (http://www.loroparque-fundacion.org/congreso/Default.aspx) __________________________________________________________ All of this information is correct to the best of my knowledge as of February 2014, and has mostly remained unchanged since my enquiries in 2012. Visits outside conference season aren’t as hard as may be expected. Another myth is that the breeding centre is at a ‘top-secret location’. Although it is very high-security, the location is common local knowledge and identifiable online. Visits to the centre take place on Thursday afternoons at 4pm from September to February subject to availability. They last one hour, and tour group numbers are limited. Members of Loro Parque Fundacion are allowed to visit once each year of their membership. Membership costs 100 euros for adults and is half price for children. If bought from within the park, the full entry fee is deducted from the membership cost – making it 67 euros for adults. Other benefits include unlimited entry to Loro Parque during this period, and subscription to their quarterly magazine. You must first be a member of Loro Parque Fundacion (LPF) before booking a tour. Membership can be bought online or at the LPF information desk just within the entrance of Loro Parque. NB this is membership to LPF; not the specific membership or annual passes to Loro Parque itself. A tour can then be booked from the LPF information desk in the park (right-hand side of the entry plaza). Alternatively, a place can be reserved by email, but a response may take some time. A tour does not include transport to/from the park, but the centre is a short taxi ride from the park entrance (costing under 4 euros). A booking/carshare may be required for the return trip. I hope this proves useful to some visitors. Please post below with any comments if this has been helpful, or with any amendments.
