THE ANIMAL PARK
Located in the Pla Del Mir sector, the park is a place of discovery, occupying an area of 37 hectares of pine forests at an altitude of 1,800m.
2 possible circuits, one 3,500 metres long and the other 1,500 metres long, allow you to discover the fauna and flora in the park and meet the different species of animals living in semi-freedom in a natural area.
It’s in this completely natural setting that current-day Pyrenean animals are to be found; these have always lived in our mountains and include the chamois and the wild boar, while others, such as the ibex and the wolf, have fled the French slopes.
Species that are becoming rare or even in danger of extinction, like the bear, and others that have disappeared forever from the Pyrenean soil, such as the bison and the reindeer, have their place in this park in Le Capcir.
Large and small herbivores that have disappeared over the centuries and then been reintroduced into our massifs, such as stags, roe deer, fallow deer, mouflons and marmots, are very much at ease here.
You just need to be patient and keen to observe this mountain fauna, which has been constantly intertwined with human history for centuries. The prehistoric rock art of the Pyrenean caves bears witness to this common journey which still continues today in hunting, breeding, leisure and art.
THE WOLF
Just as mythical as the bear, it’s unfortunately pursued by false legends of cruelty and terror, which have led to it being almost exterminated.
THE BROWN BEAR
A legendary animal of the Pyrenees, the subject of legends and a foundation of traditions, leading its name to being given to numerous places in our mountains.
THE FALLOW DEER
Much smaller than the stag, armed with modest antlers but much more common in the forest, it’s a lively and elegant host in medium-sized mountains.
THE WILD BOAR
“The black beast”, a sedentary animal of our forests, it lives in “company”. Active at night, it loves water and wallows in mud. It searches in the hardest soils to detect its food thanks to its snout.
THE IBEX
This magnificent animal with large sabre horns disappeared from the Pyrenees at the beginning of the century. A highly protected species in France, it lives on steep slopes, thanks to its extraordinary agility.
THE STAG
This is the largest and most beautiful mammal in the deer family. Noble and majestic, it’s the “lord” of our forests.
THE CHAMOIS
This is the noble and symbolic animal of the Pyrenees whose elegant silhouette with fine horns standing out on a ridge will take your breath away.
THE BISON
The largest animal in the Park and the Pyrenees. Closely linked to the life of our prehistoric ancestors, its engraved or painted silhouette appears in the caves of the Pyrenees.
THE REINDEER
The reindeer disappeared from our region thousands of years ago; it was also associated with the lives of our prehistoric forerunners.
THE FALLOW DEER
A deer halfway between the stag and the roe deer, the fallow deer is a rustic animal.
THE MARMOT
It disappeared 10,000 years ago and was then reintroduced in 1960; it runs completely free in the Park and it’s only visible in spring because it hibernates from November to April. Living in a colony, it’s the sentinel of our mountains that whistles at the approach of the slightest danger.
THE LATEST ARRIVALS
THE LYNX
Among the felines, lynxes are easily recognisable due to their face adorned with whiskers, their triangular ears with a tuft of black hair on top and their body with a short tail and long legs.
THE FOX
A cunning animal, the fox has a certain ability to adapt to the environment in which it evolves: woods, forests, mountains, etc. As it’s a nocturnal animal, it shelters during the day in its den. Its thick and silky fur enables it to survive in low temperatures.
Open all the year round, this park allows visitors to familiarise themselves with the large wild animals of the Pyrenees.
USEFUL INFORMATION
ANIMAL PARK
Pla del Mir
Tel.: 04.68.04.17.20
Fax: 04.68.04.17.21
Email: contact@faune-pyreneenne.fr
Web
Opening times:
Every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Closed each year in November.
Length of the visit:
Small 1,500m circuit: around 1 hour’s walk
Large 3,500m circuit: around 2 hours’ walk
Rates
Adults: €14
Children: €12
Children under 4: Free of charge