General questions

1. How many animals live in the “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien?
   
   About 1500 animals, making up a total of 73 species, live and cohabit at the “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien. 
2. Do the animals breed?
   
   The “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien is an environment favourable to the reproduction of most species, since the animals live in almost complete freedom, either in the Nature Trail Park or in our very extensive habitats.
   
   However, since the habitats can only cater for a certain number of individual animals, some species or specific animals have been sterilized in order to better manage our populations. A case in point is that of the grizzly bears, where the male has undergone a vasectomy.
   
   With regard to other species, reproduction is closely monitored and encouraged, as in the case of the wolverine, which is an endangered species. In this case, the CCBB is participating in a project to promote the captive reproduction of wolverines in order to improve our knowledge of this species which is very difficult to breed.
   
   Those in charge of the animal collection at the “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien manage animal breeding in a responsible manner and comply with the CCBB ethical code and the standards laid down by the Canadian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (CAZA).
3. Do the animals have names?
   
   Only our two polar bear stars, Aurora and Nakita, have been officially named. The CCBB shows its collection of animals in an environment that is as natural as possible and that emulates as closely as it can the respective natural habitats of the species. This is our way of encouraging visitors to learn to recognize and know them as wild animals and to respect them for what they are. Thus, wild racoons do not all become ‘Charlies’ and river otters are not called ‘Scallywag’.
4. Are the animals dangerous or aggressive?
   
   To different degrees, all animals can be dangerous or show signs of aggressiveness. They may show aggressive behaviour patterns in a number of circumstances, for example in order to defend themselves, to protect their young, during the pre-breeding period or if they are sick. Obviously, some species are more dangerous than others, for example the musk ox, the cougar and the polar bear. The Animal Health team and keepers are very familiar with these species and are aware of the specifics and the character of practically every animal, so that they do know how to restrain efficiently and safely the animals under our care.
5. Are these animals tamed?
   
   The zoo animals are not raised in order to be tamed. Given the objectives and mission of the CCBB and the environment in which they live, these animals are almost as wild as if they were born in a totally natural environment.
   
   In some cases, animals do become tamer than the other members of their species. For example, orphaned moose or baby pronghorns that have been bottle-fed by the personnel. Feeding baby pronghorns with a bottle means that the animals become more accustomed to human contact and this, subsequently, makes it easier to restrain them as and when required. Indeed, these species can be very edgy when undergoing restraint, and the staff wishes to minimize any danger of an animal hurting itself.

6. What do these animals feed on?
   
   Each species has its own diet, corresponding to its energy needs. We use a variety of mashes and croquettes that have been specially made for animals, hay, leafage and branches, fruit and vegetables, horse meat (because it is less fatty), fish, etc. The staff adds vitamin content to the diet as needed.

7. Can we feed the animals?
   
   Visitors are not allowed to feed the animals, in order not to compromise their dietary regimen and their health.
8. Do you have a veterinary practitioner at the CCBB ?
   
   We have a full-time vet, along with animal health technicians who supervise the health of our animals. The team plays both a preventive and a curative role with regard to the health and physical well-being of our residents.
9. How many people work at the CCBB?
   
   The number varies greatly according to the seasons. During the winter, there is a staff of approximately 40 and during the summer season, at the height of the tourist period, there may be as many as 200 employees.
10. When was the original St-Félicien Zoo founded?
    
    The Zoo of St-Félicien was opened in the summer of 1960 (visit our historic section).
    
    
11. What are the significant dates in the CCBB timeline?
    
    1960- Opening of the Zoo of St-Félicien
    1972- Inauguration of Phase I of the Nature Trail Park
    1978- Inauguration of Phase II of the Nature Trail Park
    1989- Change of name to: “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien
    1994- Review of master plan and new orientation for the “Wild” Zoo with a move towards the collection of northern animals (the collection of exotic animals was disbanded in 1995)
    2001- The “Société zoologique de St-Félicien” is no more and instead we have the “Centre de conservation de la biodiversité boréale (CCBB) inc.”, consecrating the new Boreal transition.
    2003- Inauguration if the new reception hall, the “Borealium”
     

12.  Why did you give up the exotic animal collection in 1995?

The change, along with the new orientation, came consequent on a great deal of thought and on a study by a committee of specialists. There were a number of reasons for the “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien moving away from its exotic animal collection and devoting itself to northern animals:

- The exotic animals were kept inside almost 8 months out of 12.
- There was something wrong about having indigenous animals roaming freely in the Nature Trail Park, while barred pens were used to keep in felines and other animals.
- The institution wished to give itself a unique niche and to educate visitors with regard to our wildlife and plant life.

- Thanks to its new northern mission, the “Wild” Zoo was able to welcome visitors all year round (1997).

13. How long does it take to visit the Nature Trail Park?
    
    The guided visit of the Nature Trail Park lasts one hour and covers seven kilometres (4.4 miles) on board a screen-protected train. During this trip, human beings are behind bars while animals are at liberty!
14. What is the purpose of the pens we see below the walkways of the island and valley sectors?
    
    These pens are used as corridors for the keepers so that they may access the various habitats in complete safety when carrying out their daily tasks.
15. Why do you have Plexiglass or grids around the trees?
    
    There are a number of places on the site where you can see trees closed off by Plexiglass or grids. This form of protection has been set up around the trees in order to protect them from being gnawed by some animals (beavers, porcupines, etc.) and to avoid any possibility that one of our animals may escape if the trees themselves are close to the walkways.
16. How deep is the polar bear pool and how thick is the protective glass?
    
    The polar bear pool is 4 metres (13 ft.) deep and its glass is 6.5 cm (2.5 in.) thick, in order to withstand the water pressure. This is a remarkable construction that allows the bears to frolic around and the visitors to admire them!
17. Why is the water in the polar bear pool blue?
    
    The bottom of the polar bear pool is blue and this makes the water look blue. Also, there is the natural physical phenomenon of light reflection. Blue wavelengths of light not being absorbed by the water, it appears to be blue as it does, for example, in a lake or river.

Questions about the animals

1. What are the differences between a seal and a sea lion?
   
   Seals and sea lions both belong to the order of Pinnipedia, but come from two different families. The seals are part of the Phocidae family, while the sea lions belong to the Otariidae. Sea lions can be found in the Southern hemisphere and the North Pacific, while seals are scattered throughout the Borealie, down as far as the St-Lawrence estuary.
   
   The sea lion can bring its long, robust limbs in beneath its body, which means that it can move around on dry land much more easily than does the seal, whose rear limbs are short. Another difference is that the seal does not have a pinna (or earflap) like the sea lions.
   
   
2. What family does the wolverine belong to?
   
   The wolverine is part of the order of Carnivora and the family of the Mustelidae. It is a cousin of the river otter, the American marten, the striped skunk, the fisher, etc.
3. Is it true that a wolverine is liable to attack a bear or a human being?
   
   There are many stories and legends about the wolverine and it is sometimes difficult to separate true from false. However, the wolverine is capable of ferocious self-defence when it has its back to the wall and will attack an animal larger than itself. It has been said that it can jump onto the back of a much larger animal and kill it by biting into its neck, but the wolverine is not naturally a first-rate predator; in fact, it is extremely well adapted to scavenging.
4. Can you describe the porcupine’s quills and how to remove them if one sticks into you?
   
   The porcupine’s quills are a form of modified fur, an extraordinary result of evolution that is used by the animal to defend itself. The porcupine has three types of fur: short fur (known as underfur), long fur (or guard hair) and quills.
   
   The tip of each quill is made up of tiny hooks known as barbs, and these will swell once inside the flesh. With each muscular contraction, the quill digs deeper into the flesh of anyone unlucky enough to have come a little bit too close to a porcupine. The quills can be deadly if they should go through a vital organ.
   
   It is extremely difficult to get rid of quills that have stuck into the skin. The best way is to cut the quill so that the air will escape from it and then remove it, using a forceps and a good, strong pull.
5. Is it true that the porcupine actually shoots its quills at its target?
   
   When it feels endangered, the porcupine adopts a defensive position and protects the vulnerable parts of its body by hunching its back and bristling up its quills. It will then use its tail to hit the enemy and that is when the quills, which fall out easily, can in fact stick into the predator. This gives the inaccurate impression that the porcupine is actually shooting its dart-like quills.
6. Is it true that you can eat raw porcupine?
   
   Many writers have said that if you get lost in the woods and have no choice but to eat one or starve, you can indeed eat raw porcupine without endangering your health. In fact, the porcupine is fairly easy to catch, but nevertheless you should be careful because it can be a bearer of tularemia, which is a disease that can be transmitted to human beings.
7. What is the difference between a rabbit and a snowshoe hare?
   
   Both species are part of the order of Lagomorphs and the family of the Leporidae. The rabbit and hare are consequently cousins. They are often confused with rodents, but the latter have one pair of incisors on the upper jaw whereas the lagomorphs have two, which are superposed.
   
   Generally, the hare is larger than the rabbit and a faster runner. Moreover, the hare has longer rear paws than the rabbit and its fur turns white in winter, while the latter’s fur remains the same colour. Another difference between the two species has to do with the precocious development of its young. Leverets are born with their eyes open and are already covered with fur. They also learn to run around very soon after birth, while the baby rabbit is born in a burrow, is not very developed, has no fur and its eyes are still closed.
8. Does the raccoon really wash its food?
   
   No, it does not, even though it appears to. There have been a number of attempts to explain the behaviour of this animal that manipulates its food in the water. One plausible explanation could be simply its natural nutritional diet. The racoon prefers to find its food in streams and ponds because it enjoys eating small water animals. The fact that it is looking for such prey in the water might explain its behaviour. Moreover, the sense of touch is highly developed amongst racoons and there are those who believe that the racoon likes the feeling of handling its food. Possibly, if we combine both theories, we could come out with a fairly plausible explanation.
9. Are raptors, or birds of prey, a danger to human beings?
   
   Birds of prey are only mildly dangerous as far as human beings are concerned. However, very occasionally, it may happen that a bird of prey will attempt to intimidate or will attack passers by. When that happens, it means the bird is simply trying to protect its territory and its young. 
   
   On the other hand, a bird of prey that is raised by a human being (which is illegal), and that is thus imprinted, can be really dangerous for human beings because it “believes” that we are members of the same species. If you let a bird like that go free in the wild and human beings come near it during the breeding period, it will defend its territory against any intrusion.
10. What is the difference between the crested owl and others?
    
    All owls are birds of prey, but the crested owl, as its name suggests, has a crest, while the ordinary owl does not. This crest is made up of longer feathers on the top of the head, which people often mistake for ears. The Great Horn Owl is a crested owl, while the Snowy Owl is not. C’est une question surtout pertinente en fr (hibou VS chouette) donc je l’enlèverais de la section angl)
11. What is the largest wing span possible for large birds of prey?
    
    The wing span is measured from one wing tip to the other, with the wings fully open. For example, a Bald Eagle or a Golden Eagle may have a wing span of two metres (6 ft. 6 in.). In comparison, a Red Tail Hawk, which is a common species in Quebec, has a wing span of 1.25 metres (slightly over 4 ft.).
12. What is the beaver’s dam used for?
    
    In nature, the dam is an essential item if the beaver is to survive. In fact, building one is the first task a beaver undertakes when it is settling a new habitat. The dam is used to create a pool where the water level will be high enough to allow the beaver to build its lodge and to stock up its winter food reserve.
13. How does the beaver cut down trees and does it know where they are going to fall?
    
    The beaver cuts trees with its teeth, using its tail as a support. Its incisors are constantly growing, and gnawing away at trees keeps them from getting too long. Trees and stumps that have been gnawed by the beaver carry very characteristic incisor marks.
    
    In spite of popular belief, the beaver does not know where the tree is going to fall. When it begins its downward arch, the beaver runs to take shelter in the water, but it sometimes happens that it is hurt or even killed by the falling tree…
14. Does the beaver have to keep its tail in the water all the time?
    
    The beaver’s tail has a number of functions: it is used as an underwater rudder, as a support when chopping down a tree, to plug up construction work with mud and, finally, to raise the alarm by striking on the water. This means it cannot be continually in the water, because even if the beaver is more comfortable in water than on dry land, it does move around in both media.
15. Concerning the CCBB Beaver hut…
    
    The “Wild” Zoo of St-Félicien beavers live in a hut and a habitat built by human beings, but based on the information “provided” by the beavers themselves. Consequently, the lodge corresponds to what can be found in the wild.
    
    The inside of the lodge can be observed through a glass panel. It is accessed through a corridor inside the Interpretation Centre. This access allows visitors to watch the beaver family from close up. A lamp lights up the inside of the hut and does not appear to impact negatively on the residents, since they continue with their regular day-to-day behaviour under our very eyes. The glass panel through which we see the everyday life of the beavers is heated in order to avoid condensation.
    
    Finally, the beavers are free to come and go as they wish between their hut and their outside habitat.
16. Is it normal to see musk rats in the beaver hut?
    
    The presence of musk rats in the beaver hut is quite normal. In the wild, one will find musk rats cohabiting with beavers, which tolerate their presence. The musk rats generally build their own burrows or huts, but they also share the beaver hut on a regular basis.
17. How far can a striped skunk send its musk and have those at the zoo been operated on?
    
    The striped skunk is a member of the Mustelidae family, just like the wolverine, the fisher, the American mink… And like the other members of its family, it has anal glands that give off an unpleasant smelling liquid. When the skunk sprays its musk, there is an extremely disagreeable and long-lasting odour. When it feels threatened, the skunk contracts its glands and can target an enemy more than six metres (20 ft.) away. Obviously, in order to avoid having problems with our staff or our visitors, the skunks are de-glanded.
18. Is it true that the striped skunk cannot spray its musk if you hold it by the tail?
    
    Many people believe that one can avoid being sprayed by lifting the skunk by the tail. Those who have been foolish enough to attempt this will certainly be the first to acknowledge that the belief is unfounded. In fact, anyone holding a skunk in the air by the tail becomes an easy target.
19. What is the strong smell that greets the nose when one visits the island (the walking area near the interpretation centre)?
    
    A number of animals living in this habitat give off strong smells. In this section, there are a number of members of the Mustelidae, which have anal glands that produce musk (the wolverine, the river otters, the fisher). Added to this, the red fox and the porcupine give off odours that are disagreeable to human beings.
    
    The odours are a significant means of communication between the animals. Along with their dejections (urine and feces) and other glands, animals mark up their territory, indicate their sex and their level of receptivity during the mating period, mark out their trails, etc. So, such smells are quite normal.
20. Can river otters access the beaver habitat and how do these different species manage to cohabit?
    
    The island section at the park looks as if it is open to all animal traffic, but in fact it is divided, with, on one side the “predators” (otters, fishers, racoons, red foxes) and, on the other, the “preys” (ducks, beavers, snowshoe hares, striped skunks, porcupines).
    
    This physical separation prevents predatory behaviour between the animals and allows for peaceful cohabitation of various species.
21. Why are there metal bars that cannot be crossed close to the fences around the habitats of certain species?
    
    You will find metal bars close to the fencing around certain habitats such as those of the cougar, the grizzly, the polar bear, all precautions taken because of safety reasons. This is because we need to be prudent when working close to the habitats of dangerous animals. Management most certainly wants to avoid any unfortunate accident. For example, without such metal bars, a careless parent might sit his child on the top of the fencing that closes off the habitat and this could increase the danger of an accident.
22. Why do you send the polar bears inside at the end of the day and how do you manage to do this?
    
    Dangerous animals that represent a real risk for anyone who decided to have a look inside their habitat are taken into the den at the end of the day and spend the night there. The animals in question are the grizzlies and polar bears. This means that should anyone break in during the night, they themselves, and our animals, will be protected.
    
    The technique to persuade animals to go inside is very simple, because this is the time when they get their main meal. Looking forward to a good meal encourages them to go in for the night.
23. Do you wash the animals?
    
    The animals look after their own fur or feathers, just as they would do in the wild.
24. Aren’t the polar bears rather hot during the summer?
    
    The polar bears are remarkable examples of adapting to cold; they are protected by a thick layer of blubber, hollow hair shafts and dark skin. Because of this, winter is obviously their preferred season, a time when they can enjoy playing in the snow and swimming in the icy water.
    
    Fortunately, during the summer, our bears can cool down as often as they wish by spending their time in their huge freshwater pool. Moreover, the springtime moult gets rid of superfluous winter fur.
25. Can one get close to the polar bears?
    
    Polar bears are the largest land predators in the Borealie and they are extremely fierce. Even their incumbent keeper, Jean, would not risk making direct physical contact with them. These animals are amongst the most dangerous the CCBB owns in its animal collection.
26. Do birds living within aviaries manage to fly?
    
    Most of the aviary birds can fly (the Bald Eagle, the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Rough-legged Hawk), but some cannot, because of permanent injuries (a cut wing or a wing that was broken and mended badly) or accidents. These birds were rescued by the CCBB and given a home in the Zoo.
27. What are the differences between coyotes and wolves?
    
    Both species belong to the order of Carnivora and the family of Canidae. They are therefore close cousins. Generally, the wolf is larger than the coyote and there are a number of morphological differences between them. For example, the coyote’s ears are more sharply pointed and its muzzle is narrower. The coyote also tends to carry its tail low when it runs, while the wolf carries it quite high.
    
    There are also differences in their behaviour. The wolf is a gregarious animal that likes company and lives in a pack with a very well established hierarchy. One couple will actually mate, and that is the dominant pair, while the other individuals in the pack take part in raising the pups. As for the coyote, it generally lives alone or in small family groups, being a solitary animal. Because the coyote is generally on its own, it will attack small prey but the wolf can capture larger preys, such as the cervidae, because it hunts in a pack.
28. What are the differences between the mule deer and the white-tailed deer?
    
    The two species are closely connected, both being cloven-footed animals belonging to an order of ungulate mammals and the Cervidae family. However, the two species differ both physically and by their geographic distribution. The mule deer can be found in the west of the American continent running across to Mexico, while the white-tailed deer is to be found to the south of Hudson Bay and covers the whole of the North American continent down to north of South America.
    
    Physiologically, the mule deer is more thickset than the white-tailed deer. Its ears are larger, rather like those of a mule, hence its name. The mule deer’s tail is shorter and narrower and has a black tip, while the white-tailed deer has a long bushy tail with a white underside. Finally, the antlers are different: the mule deer’s has a clear “Y” shape, which is not the case for the white-tailed deer.
29. Do you trim the grizzly bears’ claws?
    
    Grizzly bears have naturally long claws on the rear paws. It would be quite inappropriate to even think of trimming them, and if one did, anaesthesia would be essential.
30. Why are there electrified wires?
    
    The electrified wires are used to keep the animals within a specific part of a habitat. For example, we cannot allow beavers to travel freely around the whole habitat, because they would seriously damage the trees. Additionally, the electrified wires separate the species, for example, keeping the bobcats away from the grizzly bears. They also protect our animals from wildlife intruders.
31. Is the cougar the same as the puma?
    
    It is quite usual for one species to have several common (vernacular) names and this is the case of the cougar. Some call it the puma or the mountain lion. In order to avoid confusion, scientists use a binomial nomenclature, i.e. two words, to identify each species clearly and accurately. So, the scientific name of the cougar is Felis concolor.
32. Can the cougars escape from their habitat by jumping out?
    
    Cougars are great jumpers. Even without a run up, a cougar can jump up to 6 metres (almost 20 ft.) in the air. This is why the walkway enclosures are made of Plexiglass so that the animals cannot get a grip on it, and also why a metal bar prevents visitors from getting too close. Thus the visitors are safe and the cougars remain inside.
33. Can one find cougars in Quebec?
    
    The cougar population in North America is at risk; the species is endangered throughout its distribution range and considered on the road to extinction. The settlement of the continent has impacted very negatively on the cougar, which has been subject to intensive hunting. However, in spite of all this, a number of trustworthy sightings have been made in Canada and Quebec. Thus it is possible to see cougars in Quebec and such a sighting is worth mentioning, given the scarcity of the animal and its almost completely nocturnal habits.