Births during 2009 so far include 3 Siberian lynx 1 rusty spotted cat 1 margay 2 Geoffroy's cat 1 Temminck's cat 1 jaguar 2 lion 2 serval 4 sand cat source zoo-naute
The female Temmick's cat Swa-Fai born last year, and France's first captive bred Temminck's cat, is now the female paired with Bruno at Edinburgh zoo
We don't have a general news thread for this park, so i shall kick it off, with a first breeding at the park for African wild cat, 2 kittens born. 0.0.3 Scottish wild cat have also been born.
I just received an email newsblast from them (in French, of which I know very little, but I think I was able to piece it together). The news is that they have a new species - Canadian lynx - which makes 26 different kinds of cats at the park. The email (if I am reading it correctly) actually says 26 species. This may be true or they may be including subspecies, which is why I used the word "kinds." Still, the more the merrier for a cat guy like me! Now, if they could just get marbled cat, flat-headed cat and bornean bay cat - I would be on the next flight across the pond !
In October (2011) they announced the birth of angolan lion cubs. However, I did not see a number listed in the announcement (unless I missed it because it is in French). Other births that occured in 2011 were 3 european wildcats, 2 gordons wildcats, 1 margay, 2 servals, 2 rusty spotted cats, 2 sri lanka leopards. They also recently announced the completion of new sand cat exhibits. Based on the photos, it appears visitors go into a large covered area (a first for this park) with habitats on two or three sides of them. Here is a link to the announcement on their website which includes photos of the habitats. Le Parc des Félins - Nouvelles installations pour les chats des sables
That is amazing. They already have three HUGE enclosures for angolan lions, east african lions, white south african lions. Now they are adding a fourth subspecies of lion? Surely this is completely unprecedented in the zoo world. (I realize the african subspecies splits are debatable).
The news section of the website lists three new attractions for 2012, which I am fairly certain I pieced together correctly from my somewhat uncertain French-English translation. (Although they have an English version of their site, it does not include the news items). The least interesting of the three for us ZooChatters is the addition of a 4D theatre featuring an animated film called TIGRRR... Based on the promo poster, it appears to be aimed at children (although I am curious what 4D means). As mentioned previously, asian lions will be added to the park sometime in April. They will take up residence in the former white tiger enclosure. Which leads to the third item, there is (or will be soon?) a new 3 hectare white tiger enclosure. They are claiming (and I am sure it is true) that this is the largest white tiger habitat in the world. And before we rehash the debate about whether or not zoos should take up space with white tigers, please keep in mind they also have very large breeding enclosures for siberian tiger, sumatran tiger, malayan tiger.
4D is 3D with the addition of physical sensations such as air movement to simulate wind, water spraying in your face to simulate rain, the seats moving, etc.
So when the tiger marks its territory, the audience gets sprayed with water mixed with yellow food coloring?
This weekend, June 9-10, will be a special celebration of endangered cats of Asia. This is in conjuction with this year's EAZA theme of endangered species of southeast asia. They will be selling a cool poster, which is shown towards the bottom of this link. Le Parc des Félins - Au programme du week-end du 9 et 10 juin
This kitten is now confirmed to be a boy Other births include: 0:0:2 Persian Leopard 0:0:2 European Lynx 0:0:3 Sand Cats 0:0:3 Gordans Cat
The annual baby boom continues! Boy I love this park. According to their website, they have also had margay (not sure how many).
0:1 Cheetah born 17th June (just gone on show) a first breeding for the collection and the 26th species of Feline to be born since the park opened In other news: 0:1 Sumatran Tiger (Isha) has arrived from Melbourne, Australia via Dubbo. She will be joined by a male from Honolulu later this year The previously mentioend Persian Leopards (born 12th May) are now also on show LPDF has taken over the European studbook for Sand Cats
