Zoo sauvage conservation

With a slogan such as: "learn to know, know to love, love to protect" it was natural to evolve from a zoological institution, with major preoccupations in conservation, to a centre dedicated to the protection of all species. To protect the living it is essential, first of all, to understand them better and to share that knowledge so that all can acquire a "planetary eye!"

The mission of the Zoo Sauvage of St-Félicien is divided into several aspects including:

•	Offering the visitors an exceptional site, well integrated into a still wild nature
•	Supporting the acquisition of new knowledge through interesting activities and presentations
•	Contributing to the protection and the conservation of the boreal biodiversity including the captive reproduction of certain species by also posing concrete actions outside the site.

Several elements can contribute to the conservation of a wild species in its natural environment, here are some examples:

•	Awareness / Education
•	Land management
•	Protection of land
•	Rehabilitation and reintroduction of individuals
•	Research and studies

Conservation Project of the Heron aviary of St-Félicien

For many years, the black-crowned night heron has nested in the Western Arbour-vitae and larch growths located in edge of the town of St-Félicien. These growths are found on wet and sometimes flooded land. The vegetation is rather dense there, offering on the one hand a good protection, and on the other hand, abundant materials for building a nest. Large trees are also found in the sector which offer an ideal location for the night heron to build its nest. 

In 2004, the construction of the loop line forced the night herons to move their nesting location. Today, they are restricted to a small wooded area located on the grounds of a cogeneration plant. It is this new nesting site which makes up our intervention area.

The black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a small night wader. It has a squat body, the top of its head and its back is black, its wings and its tail are gray and its chest is white. The night heron is a migratory bird which lives in colonies close to lakes, rivers and moist environments, in the dense forests. He roosts and sleeps in the trees and eats fish, insects, amphibians and small rodents.

Objectives

•	To protect the integrity of the nesting site
•	To protect the birds during their nesting period
•	To inform the visitors of the importance of the site and to put forth measures to respect and protect it

Actions

•	To ensure an annual follow-up of the state of the population
•	To recover the sick or wounded birds and to provide them the necessary care
•	To inform the population of the importance of the site

Project Evolution

The year 2008 marks the beginning of this conservation project. Technicians, in natural environment, crossed the site in order to evaluate the dimensions of the heron habitat and carried out a bird count as well as marking the nests and other signs of life. We counted more than 60 black-crowned night heron nests, on a territory of approximately 22,500 sq. meters.

Here are the actions which will be presented during 2009, the second year of the project:

•	Installation of informative panels
•	Enlarging the inventory zone
•	Counting nests and follow-up of activities
•	Visit and count the night herons during nesting
•	Recovery and care of the wounded or sick individuals

Environmental protection… an engagement!

While having a mission contributing to the safeguarding and the conservation of the boreal biodiversity, it goes without saying environmental protection is, for us, a major concern.  

All the personnel of the Zoo Sauvage have worked for several years on the improvement of techniques and the tools used everywhere on the site in order to reduce the impact of the Zoo on the environment.

Thanks to the Environment committee, which works on research solutions and the development of new ideas, we carried out several important improvements. Others are planned for the future.









Here some examples which affect you directly:

•	Installation of a recovery system on the site: 1- Construction of sorting centers (garbage / recycling) 2- Purchase and installation of 25 recycling bins
•	Pamphlets and posters printed on recycled paper
•	100% biodegradable bags in the gift shops
•	100% biodegradable dishes (bowls and plates) in the restaurants
•	100% biodegradable hand soap
•	Toilet paper made from recycled fibres
•	Napkins made from recycled fibres and not bleached
•	Recycling of used batteries
•	Use of river water for the water games

Others measures, which you do not see, were posed and make a difference:

•	Installation of a composting system for the restaurant
•	100% biodegradable cleaning products
•	Weekly re-use of pay envelopes
•	Employee awareness: 1- Double-sided photocopying 2- Turning off vehicles 3- Turning off lighting 4- Using reusable cups and placemats
•	Use of ash on the Nature Trails Park roads (by-product of cogeneration)

We are proud to contribute to make our world a better world.

During your visit to the Zoo Sauvage, participate by placing your waste and recycling in the proper place. The environment thanks you!