Zoo La Garenne

About

La Garenne (or Parc animalier de la faune européenne La Garenne) is a small zoo (or animal park) located in Le Vaud, Vaud in Switzerland. The park specializes in the conservation and promotion of Swiss fauna, particularly small animals and birds of prey. The zoo also has a care center for wild animals.

The park is located on 3 hectares of land (30,000 m 2 ) and is the home of approximately 300 animals. La Garenne welcomes approximately 90,000 visitors every year; between 250 and 100 visitors daily, with 3000 on peak days. The park is a member of the ZooSchweiz and WAZA.

The park is the propriety of the Fondation La Garenne, a not for profit organization that manages the park and its inhabitants. This foundation gets most of its financing from its affiliate association, the Association des Amis de la Garenne. The goal of the association is to realize the objectives of the zoo through monetary and moral support. The foundation receives funds from membership contribution, one-time donations, sponsorships from societies and government, and charitable giving from inheritances of private individuals.

In 2014, the park relocated on new land and it reopened in 2016.

The new park La Garenne possess the biggest aviary in Europe, with a height of 28 m at its highest point. Visitors can walk among rock walls where the birds build their nests.

The new entrance pavilion of the park was created by LOCALARCHITECTURE. It is a long building with large triangular windows giving a view on to the park. The pavilion is built entirely of wood and has a green roof covered with local alpine plant species. Many service are offered inside the pavilion, including a gift shop, restaurant and reception area.

Since its creation, La Garenne has been an important actor in the care and rehabilitation of wild animals found by people in the area. Its care center is still in operation, and more than 1600 animals of many species have been released to the wild after care in the center. Every year approximately 450 animals are brought to the center. Of that number, 40% will be released in the wild. Some animals will get a home in other zoos. Handicapped animals are often kept in the zoo for reproduction.

Another important part of the mission of La Garenne is the education of the public on the subject of the environment and the local fauna. There is a classroom for school children and groups.

The Fondation La Garenne has a general mission on four planes that it has retained since its creation:

- Retrieving and caring for wild animals in difficulty

- Participating in the survival and the reintroduction of vulnerable species

- Proposing education services on the subject of the environment

Mammals : wolf, lynx, fox, Saas sheep, Alpine ibex, goat, wild boar, mangalia, groundhog, coypu, beaver and racoon.

Birds : bearded vulture, little owl, woodpeckers, waterfowl, ducks, kestrel, passerines, barn owl, Eurasian eagle-owl, griffon vulture and northern bald ibis.

Reptiles and amphibians : European pond turtle, common toad, Alpine newt, black salamander and common frog.

There is also an anthill to observe the insects at work and the park also has a great diversity of flora species from the area.

In 2014, the park relocated on new land and it reopened in 2016.

The new park La Garenne possess the biggest aviary in Europe, with a height of 28 m at its highest point. Visitors can walk among rock walls where the birds build their nests.

The new entrance pavilion of the park was created by LOCALARCHITECTURE. It is a long building with large triangular windows giving a view on to the park. The pavilion is built entirely of wood and has a green roof covered with local alpine plant species. Many service are offered inside the pavilion, including a gift shop, restaurant and reception area.

Since its creation, La Garenne has been an important actor in the care and rehabilitation of wild animals found by people in the area. Its care center is still in operation, and more than 1600 animals of many species have been released to the wild after care in the center. Every year approximately 450 animals are brought to the center. Of that number, 40% will be released in the wild. Some animals will get a home in other zoos. Handicapped animals are often kept in the zoo for reproduction.