Experience Québec
At the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien
Feeding time at the zoo… winter and summer alike
“See one zoo, you’ve seen ’em all! Giraffes, hippos, oversized cats, rhinos—it’s all the same, no matter where you go!” In Saint-Félicien, however, they see things differently, and act accordingly: bring on the winter! From Canada to Japan, the Borealie—northern hemisphere countries with a cold climate—is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife, much of it endangered. Is it a zoo out there? Not at the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien!
This has got to be the Garden of Eden of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Did we say they do things differently in Lac-Saint-Jean? Here, the animals roam freely in custom designed habitats, while the humans are caged! A funny turn of events, to be sure. But a quick glance at the zoo’s mission reveals that the animals live in perfect harmony with nature, and that its overarching aim is to protect and preserve boreal biodiversity.“The survival of endangered species is central to the zoo’s values and concerns, and it’s also why we promote the reproduction of threatened species like the wolverine and burrowing owl. In that sense, there’s no question that the zoo’s role is to safeguard genetic material,” said Christine Gagnon of the Zoo sauvage de Saint Félicien.
The great adventure
It all began in 1960, when Ghislain Gagnon, a municipal policeman, former ranger and unabashed nature lover, jumped into the adventure of starting a zoo. A former fox farm belonging to the town of Saint Félicien appeared to him the ideal setting. Three months and 160 animals later, some 22,000 visitors had already set foot on the zoo’s first trails. By 1961, Mr. Gagnon had acquired the first acres of where the zoon now stands.. 
The zoo quickly became a cause célèbre and its fame ensured its growth. The years went by and the zoo acquired new grounds and new animals. In 1989, the zoo added the word sauvage (wild) to its name, in so doing, framing the unique and original concept underpinning its new identity: a zoo with a definite northern slant and a marked focus on the preservation of boreal wildlife. In 2001, the zoo broadened its mission and raised its international profile with the creation of the Centre de Conservation de la Biodiversité Boréale (CCBB). The centre favours an ecological and educational approach that advocates the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The construction of the Boréalium gave substance to this important new direction.
A zoo for all seasons
In Saint-Félicien, you can brave the winter, enjoy the summer, relish the fall and kick up your heels in the spring. Each season offers up its own special animal activities, as well as the chance to observe boreal wildlife… uncut, as it were!
With nearly 1,000 wild animals from 80 different species and a playground that extends over some 1,620 hectares (4,000 acres), there’s no shortage of goings-on. If in spring—to paraphrase Lord Tennyson—a young animal’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love, the courting season kicks off with the macaques, whose area becomes a full-on nursery throughout May and June. And, while the mommy macaques have their hands full, it’s time for the other species to procreate! In summer, anything goes: parents and their progeny have a ball, as visitors look on, amazed!
For those of us who don’t mind the cold, winter is the most striking time of the year at the zoo, according to Christine: “Visiting the zoo in winter is a unique experience. The animals grow luxuriantly thick pelts and bask the sun to warm up, which makes them easier to observe.”
Where the wild things are
The day starts early at the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien. Visitors are advised to arrive at about 9 a.m. to begin their tour. To introduce the uninitiated to northern wildlife, a short film is presented. Once you’ve brushed up on the Borealie’s facts, flora and fauna, you’re ready for action.
Numerous walking trails allow you rub elbows with the Borealie’s many different inhabitants. Just like Fido or Kitty back home, the animals are fed at set times, depending on the species. This is a distinct advantage for human types, since—with the feeding spots positioned near the walking trails—the regularity makes animal observation that much easier. Footsore? Climb aboard the fenced-in train that runs along the nature trails.
Already noon! A close-up of the world’s smallest creatures: that’s what the Zoom nature experience offers up. See what’s hidden inside a beaver lodge, discover the secrets of our waterways or become a “bugologist.” Not only that: the farm, maze and many water games and walkways provide a refreshing break Before you go, why not stop by the Borealium, where you can test your new knowledge on this vast northern domain through interactive activities? Last but not least, a final film will bring your visit to the Zoo sauvage de Saint Félicien full circle!
| Night zoo |
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| Zoo sauvage de Saint Félicien. |
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| Zoos in Québec |
| • Zoo de Granby From January 12 to February 17, 2008 Open weekends only 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From February 23 to March 9 , 2008 Open every day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Zoo de Saint-Édouard Saint-Édouard • Parc Safari Hemmingford • Ecomuseum Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue • Zoo des oiseaux du paradis Saint-Nazaire-d'Acton • Exotic Zoo Birds and Sanctuary Icare Roxton Pond |
André Quenneville
Research and interview by Karine Miron.
2008-06-20
