Mystery French Zoo

S

Shirokuma

Well-Known Member
I wonder if anyone can help me identify a zoo I went to when I was younger (late 1980s or early 1990s). I think it's somewhere around the west coast of France or the Loire Valley as we used to go on holiday there.

I can remember three zoos we visited: Zoo de la Boissière du Doré, Zoo de Doué (which I liked very much) and one more which I can't identify.

This mystery zoo had lots of cats and carnivores in general. It was located in a wooded area with a winding path. Some of the enclosures were large and natural but I remember others being quite small cages , almost like circus wagons.

The guide, which I no longer have was a very large olive green flyer and I think it had a snow leopard on the cover. I think there were also hippos and bison. I remember it was smaller than we expected because we had seen a leaflet which featured many species.

I wish I could remember more but it was a long time ago.

Is this recognisable to anyone?
 
With that small information, it is really difficult to indentify.

I have two presumtions:

1. Zoo de la Palmyre on the Atlantic Coast. Winding path, wooded area (pines), small cages as well as large enclosures, lots of carnivores. The area is very known by British tourists. But I don't know if they have ever exhibited bison.

2. Zoo de la Flèche (Loire region). The Zoo itself is in the middle of nowhere, the area is less wooded then la Palmyre and the paths are not that winding. Some older cages/exhibits really have (ord had) that circus style. Also many carnivores, but I'm also unsure about the bison.
 
Thanks for those suggestions, I've had a look at their websites and neither look familiar.

I remember it was like a wooded valley with a long loop of a path, possibly just one long path in a loop with exhibits along it.

Definitely lots of carnivores, cats in particular.
 
Looking at the website and map I thought this wasn't the same place but reading the history page I see it doubled in size in 1990 so has changed a lot since when I was there.

It also says it was owned by a circus man and was famous for carnivores.

Thanks Pygathrix, mystery solved!
 
Yea definately sounds like Pont-Scorff.

I visited this zoo about 5 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. The sealion and bird shows were spectacular!! Black rhinos, spectacled bears, hippopotamus and a large troop of hamadryas baboons were some of the highlights as well as the impressive cat collection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top