Looking for somewhere to take the children for a day out. How about one of the animal Parks, or the headquarters of the Baudet (Poitou) Donkey Breeding programme.
NATUR'ZOO of Mervent
This park is situated in the heart of the Mervent forest, on the border of Deux-Sevres and Vendee, with over 40 animal species from 5 continents. Animals to see include lemurs, lions, wolves, camels, bears, giant tortoise, ass, eland. Many of the animals are endangered species so there is a controlled breeding programme to preserve them, run in conjunction with the European Breeding Programme.
Mealtimes is an especially interesting time to visit!
This year they have introduced 3 giraffe, and a rare white tiger.
Besides the animals, there is a visitor centre, children's play area including a toboggan slide, and a snack bar and restaurant.
The Park is open from February to November. The snack bar is open from April to September.
Opening times
April - August - 11h - 1900h every day
September October and November - every afternoon.
Tariff
INDIVIDUEL (2010 prices)
ADULTES 11 €
ENFANTS (de 3 à 12 ans) 7 €
Website in English for more information, map etc.
No problem for disabled access, not recommended to take dogs.
ZOODYSSE
is situated in the Forest de Chize, south Deux-Sevres on the border with Charente Maritime.
It's another wonderful centre, with 100's of species of animals roaming free in their invidual enclosures; there's also a small children's enclosure for 'hands on' with a few animals. The Visitor Centre includes a small cinema, shop and restaurant
One of the current projects is working in partnership with the Academy of Natural Heritage of Savoie (CPNS), on a reintroduction project in Lake Bourget
of the European pond turtle, a very highly endangered species despite drastic safeguards. The terrapin is a European reptile, formerly a very common species,
but it disappeared from the shores of Lake Bourget in the XXI century because of human activities on the lake, and at the current time it is not possible to return it to its natural habitat in the wild.
Zoodysse is also a breeding centre for the Little Bustard
The LIFE program conducted by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), with support from the General Council of the Deux-Sevres,
aims to strengthen the Zoodyssée migratory populations of the Little Bustard in order to avoid the risk of extinction of the species in our region.
The little bustard is a species in decline worldwide and the LPO has worked for many years to preserve the breeding population.
Under this project, the General Council has asked the CNRS, the LPO and Zoodyssée to work together on the educational value of this centre
of farming and biodiversity on the more general lowland landscapes, to address the problem of global changes, changes in rural landscapes
and the importance of issues related to biodiversity in agricultural environments.
Tariffs - click here
Access map click here
Virtual visit - click here
No problem for disabled access, not recommended to take dogs.
BAUDET OF POITOU - or the Poitou Donkey -
This is the largest breed of donkey in the world and at Dampierre-sur-Boutonne on the 79 border with Charente Maritime is the headquarters of the Baudet donkey breeding programme.
At one point in the 20th century, there were only 44 pure Baudet donkeys left in the world and an intensive research and breeding programme was initiated to save the breed from extinction.
Because of their size, they have been cross-bred with the Mulassier horse to produce mules, which have been exported all over the world. This is because the mule is hardy, sure-footed, can exist on little food, and is ideally suited to the mountainous terrain of Asia and Central Europe and Arabia. The mules were also used as pack animals during the World Wars.
Opening Times and Tariff (2011)
April, May: every day exept Monday - 10h-12h and 14h-17h30
- June - September: every day 10h-12h and 14h-18h
Price is 3€/pers and free for children under 12 years old
Disabled facilities; no dogs
Read more about the breed here.
and here
Website Baudet Donkey