Key figures
Refuge LPO
since 2020
20 000
school years / year
41 conservation programs supported since 2005
38 species
in EEP
Partner of 1
Life Program
319 animals seized, abandoned,
recovered by the firefighters
and welcomed at the park since 2017
6 trophies of the
Conservation of the Afdpz
4 Awards
for EAZA campaigns
1 dedicated association
Conservation: Ecofauna
A committed park: a new pact with nature
Modern zoological parks have a fundamental role: to help halt the decline of animal species in the natural environment. This is reflected in various actions alongside partners from all over the world: preserving endangered species, raising public awareness, supporting research, participating in international breeding and reintroduction programmes, etc.
Faced with the many threats to species, the La Barben Animal Park places the preservation of biodiversity at the heart of its mission and is committed to various aspects:
… or the preservation of species outside their natural environment
The primary role of zoological parks in the ex-situ conservation of endangered species is that of genetic conservation by housing and reproducing endangered species. These individuals make it possible to maintain genetic diversity and to reintroduce them into the wild when necessary.
For each endangered species, the populations present in zoological parks are managed by a coordinator within the European Ex-Situ Programmes (EEP), carried out within the framework of the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
It is natural that we participate in many of these programs, thus reproducing rare species such as striped hyenas, gazelle oryx or even Crau’s locusts. For example, one of our female gazelle oryx took part in a reintroduction programme in Chad!
… or the preservation of species in their natural environment
Integrating the problems of human populations, these projects generally include several areas of action:
- Habitat protection and anti-poaching
- Improving human-wildlife coexistence
- Raising awareness among local populations about the protection of biodiversity
- Helping local people to develop sustainably
For more than 20 years, our park has been committed to many stakeholders, in particular through our association Ecofaune.
To protect, you have to love. To love, you have to know!
The animals in the animal parks are true ambassadors of animal species. They allow you to get to know them, to understand them, to love them and to protect them!
Every year, we welcome thousands of visitors, young and old, families and companies, and offer them various activities and supports to allow them to reconnect with the wild world and become actors in its preservation: educational panels, treasure hunts, school workshops, family activities…
In collaboration with the customs services, the OFB, the gendarmerie (…) we welcome animals that have been seized, abandoned or from circuses and laboratories so that they can find an environment adapted to their physiological needs and behaviours.
The animals in animal parks make it possible to carry out a lot of research on species that are sometimes difficult to study in the wild: behavioural studies, analysis of dietary needs, identification of specific pathologies and effective treatments, etc.
This work, carried out in collaboration with universities or research centres, makes it possible to better understand the needs of species and therefore to better safeguard them in their natural environment!
Partners & Associations
These actions are possible thanks to the networking of animal parks, federated through:
Professional networks
- EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) – information and reflections on species management, international conservation campaigns.
- AFDPZ (French Association of Zoological Parks) – knowledge sharing, common fund for the protection of endangered species.
How can we support our actions?
- Make a donation! Participate directly in the financing of projects carried out by the Ecofaune association.
- Each contribution, regardless of its size, contributes to the preservation of living things!
Our actions are part of a sustainable approach: protecting, educating, and inspiring everyone to become an actor in biodiversity. We do everything we can every day to make the La Barben Animal Park a unique place for the preservation of the living.
