Discover the zoo of Calviac and its 200 species of wild animals!
10 km from Sarlat and 25 km from the La Fage campsite, the Calviac Zoological Reserve is a non-profit institution whose mission is the preservation of animal species and which is managed in an ecological manner. You can meet representatives of 200 species of wild animals evolving in a beautiful wooded setting in semi-freedom.
MORE THAN A ZOO IN THE DORDOGNE, AN ECOLOGICAL NATURE RESERVE
The Calviac reserve differs from traditional zoos in that its primary goal is the conservation of biodiversity, with particular attention paid to small species in danger of extinction, often neglected by large conservation programs. Unlike the birds, bears, pandas, giraffes, tigers, monkeys, lions, elephants, and other wildlife of a typical zoo, the animals in the reserve represent sensitive or endangered species from geographic areas classified as Critical Biodiversity Areas by Conservation International or as Ecoregions by WWF The reserve was created on a limestone hillside classified as Natura 2000, and its perimeter is registered as a “Natural Zone of Ecological, Floristic and Faunistic Interest” within the Dordogne valley. The management of the site is based on a global ecological commitment, notably through the choice of energy suppliers, the use of untreated wood, the use of natural filters for wastewater treatment, the use of local companies to carry out the work, and the creation of dry toilets.
CONSERVATION OF ANIMALS FROM 4 CONTINENTS
The Zoological Reserve of Calviac shelters species coming from 4 large geographical areas: Europe and the Mediterranean basin, South America, Oceania and Madagascar. If the logo of the park represents a maki vari, a Malagasy species reintroduced in its natural environment since the 90s, each universe of the reserve also has its representative: the great auk for Europe and the Mediterranean, the giant lemur of Madagascar, the Glyptodon of South America and the marsupial wolf of Oceania. These are unfortunately extinct species, whose evocation aims to alert the visitor to the importance of ecology and biodiversity conservation programs. The look at the species present in the park is all the more attentive! The European zone allows to meet the wolverine, the European mink, or the barn owl. Among the Malagasy species are the fossa, but also several types of lemurs, crowned, black and white varis, catta, or red-bellied. The oceanic fauna is also well represented, through the presence of wallabys and long-nosed potorous. Finally, the reserve offers you the opportunity to go to South America with maned wolves, marmosets, saimaris, tapirs, Andean poudous, capybaras and tamarins. If you don’t know what to do in the Dordogne, this is a must-see for the whole family.
SCHEDULES AND RATES OF THE ZOOLOGICAL RESERVE OF CALVIAC
The zoological reserve of Calviac is open every day from mid-February to mid-November. In July and August, it opens its doors to visitors from 9 am to 8 pm. The days are punctuated by meetings with the caretakers and public feeding sessions for the different species. The keeper will explain in detail the species present in the park and their needs. Some enclosures, such as those for wallabies, lemurs or owls, are open to allow greater proximity with the animals. A café-boutique on site offers artisanal drinks and ice cream as well as souvenirs. The entrance fee for an adult is 11 euros in winter and 13 euros in summer. A rate for students and young people from 13 to 18 years old is proposed, at 9 euros in winter and 11 euros in summer. The entrance fee for children from 3 to 12 years old is 7 euros in low season and 8.50 euros in high season. A discount of 1 euro on each ticket is provided for visitors who come by bicycle or public transport.
