Matecaña City Zoo
| Date opened | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Location | Pereira Colombia |
| Land area | 17 hectares (42 acres) |
| Number of animals | 800 |
| Number of species | 150 |
| Memberships | Society of Public Improvements Pereira |
| Website | http://www.zoopereira.org/ |
The Matecaña City Zoo (Zoológico Matecaña) is located in Pereira, Colombia, the work of the Society of Public Improvements Pereira, who on January 26, 1951, through a management buy the 17 hectares (42 acres) of farm Matecaña. The initial goal was to build a football stadium, but the ground was not considered useful for this, and decided to spend at a botanical garden and playground.
Currently the zoo is at its Matecaña master plan renovation of facilities that aim to change cages by plant more closely resemble the natural habitats of the animals exhibited originating ecosystems, providing a better quality of life for animals and a better understanding to the community who daily visit. The zoo has a collection of 800 individuals from 150 different species, between birds, mammals and snakes from Americas, Africa and Asia, plus some endemic animals. In the garden there is also a great diversity of flora endemic and native to the area.
History
- In 1959 the first secure cages were built to lock the few captive animals, the project was made official and the purchase of animals was authorized. In 1961 was the chronological accuracy of its foundation and opened an item in the budget for food, maintenance and management of animals like condors (Andean Condor), Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), eagles and the Colombian Atlantic coast flamingos .
- In 1968 the park was visited by dignitaries from Mexico and made contact with the Chapultepec Zoo. The animals purchased were an Asian elephant, a zebra (male), two hippos, sacred baboons (Papio hamadryas) and sable antelopes. expanding the collection.
- The collection was maintained until 1993 when exotic African fauna arrived from farm Napoles. (Pablo Escobar's country house)
- In 1999 the education department was established to coordinate environmental education programs for the conservation of biodiversity in Colombia and spread the importance of all species of wild fauna and flora.
Services
The park organizes guided tours, environmental workshops, seminars, lectures, consults with researchers, and leisure activities (Safaris, birthdays, nocturnal guided tours, recreational holidays).
Matecaña zoo sites
- Serpent
- Clinic
- Step Home
- Bird place (aviary)
- Museum of Natural Sciences
- Lake
- Education Department (Zoo Guides)