Zoo de l'Orangerie is closing its doors... for now

[kermodei]

As of August 6th, 2022, the Zoo de l'Orangerie has permanently closed.

The historic zoo, located in the Parc de l'Orangerie in Strasbourg, France, first opened its doors all the way back in 1895. Once home to nearly 500 animals, representing 48 different species, the zoo's population had dwindled to just 90 individuals by the beginning of this year.

Reasons for the zoo's closure include lack of funds and public interest, along with the welfare of the animals themselves, as several enclosures could be described as painfully outdated. Information is scant on where the zoo's animals are being re-homed to, though a quote from Alexandra Morette, president of Code Animal, reads: "It is not a question of putting them back in zoos [. . .] We must find places for them where they can quietly finish their life, because wild animals that have spent part of their lives in captivity cannot return to the wild".

As things stand, the "mini farm" portion of the zoo will remain open, and there are plans to reinvent the site as an "educative animal park", focusing on animal welfare and the native wildlife present in the park itself.

Those fluent in French, or with translating apps, can read more at the links below:

• Fermeture du zoo de l’Orangerie le 6 août, le conflit ukrainien complique les transferts des animaux
• Dès aujourd’hui, le zoo de l’Orangerie ferme définitivement ses portes

(*I couldn't find a main thread for this zoo, which is understandable given how small it is, so I hope this is alright to share as-is!)

 

[Dassie rat]

This is a shame. It was where I first saw Tonkean macaques and spent some time looking at their group dynamics

 

[Jana]

First French zoo I have ever visited long time ago. I took part in a long-weekend guided trip to this part of the country and tripped over the Orangerie just by chance. Spend the rest of the day there and almost missed the bus. Nostalgic feeling now to see it gone.

 

[Kalaw]

I am staying in Strasbourg at the moment, and visited L’Orangerie to see the European White Storks (I saw at least 20, and plan on returning later in the week with a camera for photos), and admired the old zoo while there.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I thought I could provide some further information about the Zoo’s closure and future for any who are interested. I will upload photos of signage when I get back to London, but for now, here is some information that I gathered:

- Most of the Barbary Sheep left for a larger site elsewhere, which is 6,500 square metres compared to the 500 square metres of their home at the Orangerie. Two sheep, however, remained at the zoo, as they carried a disease that complicated their transfer, with the animals in nearby enclosures leaving to allow their living space to be tripled. I could be mistranslating, but I believe that a small group of three animal experts and veterinarians are responsible for caring for them. I also assume that they remain at the zoo, although sadly, the extremely overgrown fencing makes it next to impossible to view them all the same.

- The new zoo will be taking a more educational approach, but will sadly be almost exclusively focused on domestic animals, and as such will be an extension of the Mini-Ferme that sits across the pathway from the main zoo. Another focus will be on native species of Alsace, and signage is already in place around the zoo that details a selection of native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians with information on how to see them. All the pillars designed to support stork nests within the zoo still remain.

- The exact approach, however, is yet to have been decided upon, with the deadline for proposals being September 4th 2023. The new zoo will open at an unspecified date in 2024.

- The new zoo will be free to enter, but certain activities and workshops will recquire an additional charge.

- As mentioned in the opening post, the Mini-Ferme remains open from 2 PM to 5 PM, although it is temporarily closed (unsure as to precisely why).

Again, sorry to have bumped an old thread, but I hope this information is useful.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Another focus will be on native species of Alsace, and signage is already in place around the zoo that details a selection of native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians with information on how to see them.

No bad thing for the "new" zoo to focus on, of course