Land area 120 hectares No. of species 33 Phone +598 2312 0013 Number of species 33 | No. of animals 500 Area 120 ha Number of animals 500 | |
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Location near Santiago Vázquez, Montevideo Department, Uruguay Address 12600 Montevideo, Montevideo Department, Uruguay Hours Open today · 9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PMFriday9AM–5PMSaturday9AM–5PMSunday9AM–5PMMondayClosedTuesdayClosedWednesday9AM–5PMSuggest an edit Similar Santa Lucía River, Fortaleza del Cerro, Plaza Fabini, Museo Zoológico Dámaso, Montevideo Botanical Garden | ||
Parque lecocq
Parque Lecocq is a nature reserve northwest of Montevideo, Uruguay, near the town of Santiago Vázquez. It houses mammals and birds and protects flora and pursues/supports breeding programs. It is adjacent to protected wetlands.
Contents
Its mandate is to be a "support centre for biodiversity conservation both nationally and internationally."
The zoo houses one of the largest communities of the Addax antelope (a critically endangered species) in the world.
Ana Olivera, the mayor of Montevideo, has announced plans to move the animals of Zoo de Villa Dolores (located in central Montevideo) to Parque Lecocq by the end of 2015.
Entre monos ant lopes y loros del parque lecocq
History
The government of Montevideo's web site describes the history of Parque Lecocq as follows:
The land where the park is currently belonged to Don Francisco Lecocq (1790-1882), an outstanding man in Montevideo of his time. He was educated in England, where he forged a spirit of initiative and enterprise that applied in the importing country to its plants and animals return to their land, which still can be enjoyed in the park.
It originated in a project by architect Mario Paysée, whose goal was to create a place with animal species around the world in natural settings. It occupies an area of 120 hectares, bordering the protected area of St Lucia Wetlands.
An arsonist set several fires at the park in early December 2008, burning seven acres. The park was temporarily closed as a result, reopening March 2009. No animals were injured, but habitat was damaged.
Resident animals
The park houses the following animals: