Literary places– the Chabriéres wolf sanctuary and Gerrald Durrell’s “A Zoo in My Luggage”
A wolf sanctuary in the central part of Chabriéres, France is a few miles from the town of Gueret and takes up a large area at the top of the hill. In fenced in semi-captivity, among woods, hills and gray boulder 23 gray wolves and smaller packs of other variety (white, black and ice white wolf) roam around.
When first entrance a wooden fortification surrounding the “human area” you are greeted by nose from domestic addition to the park. Notable part of the central greenery is take up by bird area where most astonishing selection of chicken in different color and shapes go about their daily lives noisily. Few steps out on the trail is a mini-zoo with a local wildlife like badgers, boars and antelopes.
As a person grown up reading Gerrald Durrell I agree with his view that zoos should be a safe place and a breeding colonies for endangered species instead of Victorian horror-houses full of tortured animals. His well presented argument about supporting keeping and breeding animals in captivity (as opposed to “let them live in nature where they were intended”) were backed up by a research and experience as well as communicated through his brilliant, witty and captivating story telling.
Consequently, I follow his guidelines when considering any place keeping animals in captivity. Do animals look well taken care of, with appropriate living quarters (for species requirements, not to human sense of aesthetics)? Do they have companionship, food and possibility to entertain them self. Can they withdraw out of sight when they wish privacy? Does the zoo have a scientific aims, collaborations and conservation programs? Do they try to educate rather than cash in on a sensation?
Monts de Guéret animal park seems to be doing well with this list. Wolves live in semi-captivity where they roam around two forested enclosures 13-hectares. All wolves seem to be counted for and their health and wellness condition can be observed during the feeding times. There are information boards to educate visitors, museum and an option for a guided night walks to hear the wolf’s song.
Other animal exhibits gave me a pause however, it feels harsh for chickens and antelopes to be kept in captivity next to wolves. Though none of the wolves seemed to spend time in an immediate proximity of a deer fences.
The 4–5 meter fences used to enclose the wolves (probably mostly to defend them from humans) illustrate the naivety of dog owners thinking that a picket fences around the home is what keeps your Husky or a German Shepard from leaving. Though your pug might have a bit of a difficulty with it.
All in all, the visit to a Monstsde Guéret animal park was a wonderful opportunity to observe a wolf pack in the part of France where excess hunting and destruction of a gray wolves natural habitats had dangerously diminished the number of gray wolves.
Pro-tip — since the park is large it takes a bit of luck to see the full pack from the walkpaths. To avoid disappointment time you visit before and during the feeding time at 4 pm, about an hour or two will give you time to walk about a little and return to the center on time.
Wolves know their meal time and we had a chance to observe a pack on the “village green” under the viewpoint from the center. Wolves were aware of humans looking and photographing, but they mostly ignored us. Twelve wolves were going on about their own business of play-fighting, sitting in majestic poses or sniffing about like an oversize dogs.
Chabriéres wolf sanctuary is a lovely place to visit with a family or on your own when traveling in the western France and Limoges region.
Originally published at alibraryinmyluggage.com on April 16, 2018.
