The Parc Zoologique de Paris (sometimes called the outdated Vincennes Zoo) is one of the city’s most surprising (and surprisingly modern) attractions. It blends an impressive heritage landmark (the famous Grand Rocher, or ‘Big Rock’) with a 21st-century approach to animal welfare, conservation and visitor interpretation. The park is compact enough to be seen in a single long visit yet varied enough that every path reveals new species and habitats: open savannahs, a humid greenhouse, Patagonian seashore, and islands of Madagascan forest. Its mission is not simply to display animals, but to educate about ecosystems and the conservation challenges facing them today, and nearly every exhibit is designed with that mission in mind. In the sections below, I will take you through the park’s history and layout, the five biozones and the species you’re likely to see in each, the park’s conservation efforts, and practical tips for making the most of a visit.

The Parc Zoologique de Paris began life in the 1930s as part of the city’s interwar investments in public culture and recreation. Its Grand Rocher was built as a dramatic centerpiece: a towering artificial mountain visible from the Bois de Vincennes and beyond. Over many decades the park accumulated a traditional-style collection of animals and enclosures. By the early 2000s, however, its facilities were considered outdated and inadequate for modern standards of animal care and public education. The zoo closed for a prolonged period of refurbishment and redevelopment that culminated in a dramatic relaunch in 2014. The renovation was extensive (both structural and conceptual) and transformed the zoo from a collection of cages into a modern biozonal. park. For those unfamiliar with the concept, animals are grouped by ecosystem rather than by taxonomic family, enclosures are larger and more naturalistic, and interpretation focuses on ecological relationships and conservation issues. The renovation also involved significant investment in infrastructure, animal welfare and educational resources.

One of the Parc Zoologique de Paris’s strengths is its narrative route. Visitors move along a loop that crosses the five biozones, each designed to be an immersive fragment of an ecosystem. Instead of the older zoo model (a long list of species each in a discrete cage), the park aims to show species interacting in environments that echo their natural habitats such as the plants, water features, topography and even the microclimates are chosen to support the animals and help visitors imagine the bigger ecological picture. Walking the route you’ll be led past the monumental Grand Rocher, through open savannahs with giraffes and rhinos, then into a humid, leafy tropical greenhouse that hosts Amazonian species, along woodlands and wetlands that represent European fauna, and finally through a Madagascar section where lemurs and endemic reptiles steal the show. For each biozone there are interpretive panels, sometimes guides or animators on site, and a mix of indoor and outdoor viewing points so you can see both the animals and the habitats that support them.

Your journey starts within the Patagonian biome, please ensure you follow the signs and don’t try to cut to where all the reptiles are like I did, or you’ll be met with some closed one-way doors (whoops!). The Patagonian biome is designed to recreate the windswept coasts and dry grasslands of southern South America, giving visitors an immersive glimpse into one of the world’s most striking ecosystems. The exhibit uses rocky structures, cool-toned pools and sparse steppe vegetation to evoke both the coastline and inland plateau of Patagonia. This biome is intentionally spacious and rugged, reflecting the real region’s sense of vastness. Temperatures can swing dramatically between seasons and even within a single day within Patagonia, and much of the biome’s animal life has evolved behaviours and physical traits that allow them to conserve energy, find scarce resources and withstand the relentless Patagonian winds. That’s why some of them seem so different compared to what we’re used to back in Europe and thankfully the Parc Zoologique de Paris hasn’t recreated that bitter wind!

One of the star groups in this area is the South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens). At the zoo, they occupy a large pool that mimics the cold coastal waters of Patagonia, complete with rocky ledges where they can haul out to rest or interact. Visitors can observe their powerful swimming ability through underwater viewing windows, which reveal their agility and speed. On land, sea lions often gather in tight social groupings, barking and jostling, behaviours similar to the bustling colonies found along Patagonian shores. Keeper talks frequently highlight their feeding habits, breeding structures and the conservation issues facing wild populations affected by fishing pressures and marine pollution (however these are all in French for obvious reasons). Nearby, the Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) draw visitors with their lively colonies and engaging behaviour. Their habitat features chilled water, sloping rocks and nest burrows that resemble the crevices and coastal cliffs they use in the wild. The penguins are active throughout the day, diving with surprising grace and speed as they pursue fish beneath the surface. Their vocalisations, nesting behaviours and close-knit social interactions make them especially popular with children and families. Through interpretive panels, visitors also learn how climate change and overfishing threaten penguin populations along the Pacific coast of South America.

Moving away from the water, the land portion of the Patagonian zone showcases iconic steppe species such as the mara (Dolichotis patagonum) and the rhea (Rhea pennata). The mara (long-limbed, hare-like rodents) can often be seen resting together or trotting across the enclosure in alert, synchronised pairs. Their monogamous lifestyle and cursorial adaptations are explained through exhibits that highlight how these animals survive in open, predator-exposed landscapes. Sharing the steppe environment, the lesser rhea adds a dynamic presence with its tall stature, loose plumage and fast, ground-covering stride. Rheas roam the enclosure searching for plant matter and insects, offering a convincing portrait of life on the Patagonian plains. There are of course other species here too that demonstrate the rugged grit of species that have been able to make a living in a landscape dominated by hardy shrubs, tussock grasses and rocky outcrops, creating an ecosystem that supports a surprising diversity of wildlife adapted to its harsh conditions.

The Africa biome is one of the most expansive and visually striking areas of the entire zoo. Designed to evoke the sweeping savannahs, dry forests and semi-arid grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa, the exhibit blends open vistas, sun-baked earth and brilliant sky views to create an atmosphere that feels simultaneously serene and vibrant. It is here that visitors encounter some of the zoo’s most majestic and charismatic species, including towering giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), powerful white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum), elegant kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), boldly striped Grévy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), the globally significant scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), and the unmistakable marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer). Together, these animals represent a living cross-section of the African plains, an interdependent community of grazers, browsers, scavengers and foragers that illustrate how life adapts to a landscape shaped by heat, seasonality and movement.

From the moment visitors step into the Africa biome, they are met with a complete shift in atmosphere. The design team behind the zoo’s 2014 renovation set out not merely to display African animals but to recreate ecological relationships and visual rhythms found in the Sahel-Sudan region. Long, rolling savannahs are suggested through expanses of golden grass and open soil; acacia-like trees dot the edges of enclosures; and strategically elevated viewpoints allow visitors to see multiple species sharing the same environment. What makes this area especially compelling is how space is used to express scale: the enclosures are large, with sightlines that extend far beyond a single species, giving visitors the impression that they are looking across genuine plains rather than fenced habitats. Sound contributes to immersion as well. The low rumbling footsteps of rhinos, the occasional snorts of zebras, the rustle of leaves as giraffes feed, and the croaking chatter of marabou storks add layers of natural ambience. Combined with sunlight glinting and the sense of open sky above, the biome becomes a rich sensory experience, one that sets the stage for observing some of Africa’s most remarkable animals.

Among the Africa biome’s most awe-inspiring residents are the white rhinoceroses. I’ve been lucky enough to see them in the wild a couple of times now but I always forget how enormous these animals truly are. Their enclosure is one of the largest in the zone, designed to reflect the expansive grasslands these animals inhabit in the wild. The ground is open and firm (perfect for their heavy yet deliberate gai) and visitors can often watch them grazing, wallowing in mud patches or dozing in the sun. Despite their intimidating size and thick hide, white rhinos are generally peaceful, slow-moving grazers. They are named not for their colour, but from a linguistic misunderstanding: the Dutch word wijd, meaning ‘wide’, referred to their wide, square mouths suited for grazing, and over time became ‘white’. In contrast to the more solitary black rhino, white rhinos often live in loosely structured groups, and their social behaviours can occasionally be seen in the zoo as they move calmly alongside one another. The zoo uses the white rhino exhibit to highlight the conservation crises facing rhinoceroses across Africa. Poaching (driven largely by illegal trade in rhino horn) has devastated wild populations within the last century. For this reason, it was interesting to see that the rhinos hadn’t been dehorned which is popular in some continental zoos. The presence of rhinos at the zoo is not merely for display, it underscores the urgent need for awareness and action. Watching these giants up close is powerful: their slow, steady breaths, the folds of their skin, the slight sway of their heads as they graze, all these details convey their remarkable presence. They are reminders of an ancient lineage of megafauna whose survival now depends, in part, on human responsibility.

Not far from the rhino habitat, visitors encounter the Africa zone’s most visually iconic animals: the giraffes. Their enclosure is arranged so that the animals often appear before the visitor even notices the fencing, long necks rising above trees and viewing shelters like sentient watchtowers surveying the plains. Giraffes have an extraordinary elegance that captivates observers of all ages. At the Parc Zoologique de Paris, visitors can see them participating in a variety of natural behaviours: browsing on leafy branches, strolling gracefully across the savannah, interacting in loosely arranged groups, or occasionally bending their long legs in the distinctive wide stance required to drink from low water sources. The zoo’s giraffe herd also plays an important role in European conservation breeding programs, helping maintain genetic diversity among captive populations. As giraffes face increasing threats in the wild (such as habitat fragmentation, human encroachment and poaching) these programs ensure that stable populations are conserved for future generations. What is striking about the giraffe habitat is how well it communicates the animals’ place in African ecosystems. Giraffes are browsers rather than grazers: their height gives them access to food sources unavailable to most herbivores. By feeding from trees (especially acacia species) they help shape vegetation patterns, stimulate new plant growth and disperse seeds. Giraffes should not only be seen as beautiful animals but as keystone species that influence entire landscapes.

One of the zoo’s more elegant ungulates is the kudu, a species characterised by long legs, smooth movement and impressive spiralled horns in the males. Although less immediately recognisable to casual zoo visitors than zebras or giraffes, the kudu quickly becomes a favourite for those who spend a moment observing its behaviour. The kudu exhibit is designed to mimic dry, lightly wooded savannas and acacia thickets, the kind of transitional habitats where this species thrives. Kudus rely heavily on camouflage, and their vertical white stripes help break up their outline among trees and tall grasses. At the zoo, this natural camouflage becomes apparent: at certain angles, a kudu standing still can seem almost invisible against the sandy ground and lightly shaded vegetation. Visitors often notice the animal’s heightened sense of caution. Kudus are prey for many large carnivores in the wild, and this has shaped their evolution: they move quietly, pause frequently to scan their surroundings and use their large mobile ears to detect distant threats. Even in the zoo’s safe environment, these behaviours remain visible and add to the authenticity of the biome’s ecological presentation. This is evident whenever the zoo’s lions who are house nearby start to be vocal. As browsers, kudus feed on leaves, shoots and flowers, making them ecological complements to grazers like zebras and rhinos. By showcasing kudu alongside other herbivore species, the zoo illustrates how Africa’s herbivore communities partition resources and coexist within the same landscape.

Looking skyward (or to the tops of rocks and nesting structures) visitors may wonder what birds share this environment with the animals we’ve seen so far in this biome, in the wild. If you look to the ground, you’re likely to spot the unmistakable silhouette of the marabou stork. With its bald head, powerful bill, large wingspan and slightly hunched posture, the marabou stork is one of Africa’s great scavengers. Though their appearance can seem intimidating or slightly off-putting, they play an essential role in their ecosystems. Scavengers help maintain environmental health by consuming carrion and organic waste, which reduces disease spread and supports nutrient cycling. Although marabou storks are sometimes viewed negatively due to their scavenging habits, they are in fact indispensable components of the savannah food web. Their sheer size (they are among the largest storks in the world) creates a dramatic visual impression, especially when they spread their wings or stand proudly on long, slender legs. By placing the marabou stork within the Africa biome rather than a separate aviary, the zoo underscores the bird’s role as part of a larger ecological system.

The brilliance of the Africa biome at the zoo lies not just in displaying individual species, but in showing how they fit together into a dynamic ecological system. Herbivores of different types: grazers like zebras and rhinos, browsers like giraffes and kudu all partition vegetation resources, reducing direct competition. Scavengers like marabou storks step in to clean the landscape and support nutrient cycling. In the wild, predators such as lions or hyenas would add another layer to this system, but the zoo uses interpretive materials to illustrate their ecological role even if they are housed separately. The result is a rich educational experience. Visitors see how ecosystems rely on diversity not only of species but of behaviours, feeding strategies, body sizes, and social structures. The Africa biome thus becomes a microcosm of the continent’s sprawling savannahs, a place where life must adapt constantly to climate variation, seasonal changes in vegetation, and shifting patterns of water availability. The best bit is the restaurant that allows you to enjoy your lunch while viewing the vista of the biome with the Grand Rocher in the background, although beware of the crows as they will try to steal your food!

Moving on from Africa, the next biome at the zoo is Europe. This zone flips the script, it showcases animals that are actually local (or near-local) to Europeans which isn’t what zoos usually do (but they ought to). While some visitors rush toward the more dramatic African savannah or the tropical rainforest greenhouse, the European zone reveals its strengths quietly. It draws attention not through towering megafauna or exotic colours but through an intricate tapestry of forests, wetlands, rocky slopes and hidden microhabitats. The purpose of this biome is not merely to display animals native to the continent, but to remind visitors that Europe (and even France itself) houses astonishing biodiversity, much of which is fragile, threatened or overlooked. This zone, more than any other in the zoo, encourages patience and observation. It invites visitors to slow down, listen to water flowing, peer into shaded ponds and appreciate animals that have evolved not only for survival but for coexistence with the rhythms of European landscapes.

Among the most surprising elements of the Europe biome (and one that completely too me off guard for all the right reasons) is its emphasis on organisms that many visitors might initially mistake for insignificant: slime moulds (Physarum polycephalum). These organisms, neither animal nor plant nor fungus, challenge our notions of what wildlife is. The zoo includes information about slime moulds to highlight the often unseen world of decomposition, nutrient cycling and micro-ecology. Slime moulds exist primarily in damp woodlands, thriving on decaying leaves, fallen branches and the moist substrates of forest floors. Although they are mostly microscopic or barely visible to the casual observer, they perform crucial ecological functions. Their strange, amoeba-like bodies move slowly across surfaces in search of nutrients, forming networks that seem almost intelligent in their efficiency. Some slime moulds such as the species the zoo has on display can navigate mazes, find optimal paths between food sources, or reorganise themselves in response to environmental change. Their inclusion in the biome underscores that protection of European ecosystems depends not only on charismatic mammals and birds, but on the entire web of living processes, including the smallest, oddest and least famous among them.

One of my favourite species within this biome was the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), an animal whose presence in the wild is a conservation success story. Decimated during the 20th century by pollution, habitat loss and hunting throughout Europe, otters have made a gradual comeback in many European countries (including the UK), thanks to cleaner waterways and protective legislation. Watching Eurasian otters is endlessly captivating (even if they are asleep). They glide effortlessly through the water, twisting and turning with remarkable agility as they chase fish or play with pebbles (which is something I have seen them do in several zoos). Their sleek, waterproof coats glisten when they surface, shaking droplets into the air before diving again. When on land, they move with a curious combination of grace and clumsiness, lithe and flexible when running, endearingly awkward when they sit up to groom or snack on food with their nimble forepaws. Their enclosure is designed not only for viewing but for encouraging natural behaviours. Water depth varies, allowing for diving and floating; logs and rocks provide platforms for resting, scent-marking and observation; and vegetation along the banks mimics the riparian zones where otters live in the wild. Their survival depends on clean rivers, abundant fish populations and intact riparian habitats. When otters return to a region, it often signals that the broader ecosystem is recovering from the stressors we have put upon it. In many ways, the otter embodies the Europe biome’s central message: nature is resilient, but only when we safeguard the habitats that support it.

In striking contrast to the lively otter, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) represents the quiet, elusive side of European wildlife. As Europe’s largest feline species, the lynx commands respect, not through overt power displays but through its dignified movements and intense, watchful presence. The lynx is housed in an enclosure resembling a forested mountainside, complete with rocks for climbing, shaded areas for resting, and elevated platforms where it can survey its territory. Visitors often have to search carefully to spot the lynx, as the animal’s spotted coat blends seamlessly with the dappled light of the forest floor (which is why my photos of it are all terrible). This camouflage is essential to its hunting strategy in the wild, where it preys on deer, hares and other medium-sized animals. The lynx is a solitary creature, avoiding unnecessary confrontation and relying on stealth. Even in a zoo setting, its behaviour maintains this spirit: it moves soundlessly, pauses to observe its surroundings, and often chooses high vantage points to watch unseen. The lynx serves as a symbol of European rewilding efforts. Once widespread across the continent, it was pushed out of much of its range by habitat destruction and eradication campaigns. Over the last several decades, however, reintroduction programs in parts of France, Germany, Switzerland and other regions have brought the lynx back into several mountain ranges. The lynx exhibit is a vital tool to educate visitors about these modern conservation triumphs and the coexistence challenges that still arise, such as conflicts with livestock farmers, the impacts of roads/traffic, or the need for protected corridors between forest patches. The lynx represents the apex predator role in European ecosystems, helping regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecological balance. In highlighting this species, the zoo shows that European biodiversity includes not only gentle woodland creatures but predators that shape their environments just as lions or wolves would in larger ecosystems.

Another critical part of the Europe biome is its representation of amphibians and reptiles, a group that is both ecologically indispensable and globally threatened. European amphibians including frogs, toads, newts and salamanders, are showcased in carefully controlled terrariums and aquatic exhibits that mimic the moist, shaded habitats where these animals thrive. While they may lack the immediate draw of mammals or birds, amphibians are vital indicators of environmental quality due to their permeable skin and complex life cycles involving both water and land. The zoo’s amphibian displays focus on showing both the beauty and fragility of these animals, such as marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) and alpine newts (Ichthyosaura alpestris). Both of these species are introduced to Great Britain but native to France. Some exhibits include small running water features, leaf litter, and varied lighting to simulate natural cycles. One of the Europe biome’s central messages is that amphibians are often the first animals to disappear when ecosystems degrade. Pollution, wetland destruction, pesticide use, climate change and fungal diseases such as chytridiomycosis have pushed many species toward the brink of extinction. By showcasing amphibians in an immersive, respectful way, the zoo encourages visitors to appreciate them as essential components of European ecosystems: predators of insects, prey for birds and mammals, and participants in nutrient cycling. Importantly, amphibians serve as a bridge between the microcosms of slime moulds and the larger animals like otters and lynx. Their sensitivity to environmental change helps visitors understand that European forests and wetlands cannot function unless each layer of life (from microbial decomposers to top predators) is healthy.

The zoo uses the European biome to highlight the idea that conservation begins locally. While many people feel a strong emotional connection to endangered species in distant lands, fewer realise that Europe has its own conservation struggles. Species like amphibians, lynx and otters are at risk not because of exotic pressures but because of familiar ones: pollution, habitat fragmentation, unsustainable land use and climate change. The Europe biome’s exhibits, keeper talks and educational signs help bridge this gap, explaining scientific concepts in clear, accessible language. Public engagement is equally important. By drawing visitors into this quieter, more contemplative biome, the zoo helps people build personal connections to species they may not have previously noticed or valued. Those connections form the foundation for conservation-minded behaviour, whether that means supporting habitat restoration, reducing chemical use in gardens, or advocating for environmental protections. More zoos across Europe need to start doing this, especially back home.

Continuing on through the zoo, the Amazonia–French Guiana biome is next. Whereas some biomes at the zoo evoke open savannahs or windswept plateaus, the Amazonia–French Guiana zone draws visitors into a world of dense vegetation, humid air, running water and the ceaseless tremor of life that defines the tropical rainforest. This biome serves a dual purpose: to transport visitors into an environment unlike any other in the zoo, and to highlight the biodiversity of French Guiana, a region of France situated in northern South America, home to part of the world’s greatest rainforest. The zoo’s designers sought not only to showcase emblematic Amazonian animals but also to create a holistic experience that reflects the interwoven, layered nature of a tropical ecosystem. Within this lush setting live some of the zoo’s most captivating animals. Each species contributes to the biome’s ecological narrative, from predators and frugivores to social primates, river giants and brilliantly coloured amphibians. While the biome’s residents come from scattered regions across the Amazon Basin and French Guiana, they are unified by adaptations to humid heat, dense foliage, and life under the shadowed cathedral of rainforest canopy.

Bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) are among the most unusual carnivores found in South America, and in the Amazonia–French Guiana biome they intrigue those who may never have heard of them. Small and low-slung, with reddish-brown fur and a stout body, these canids resemble a strange mixture of otter and dog. In the wild, they live in dense forested areas and wetlands, moving through the underbrush in tightly cooperative packs. Their enclosure at the zoo highlights their natural behaviours. It features a mix of shaded woodland areas, shallow pools and tunnels that allow the dogs to pass unseen from one section to another. Visitors may first hear them (high-pitched calls and soft barks) before spotting them slipping between plants. Bush dogs are remarkably social creatures, using vocal signals and scent marking to coordinate their movements. In the wild, they hunt in groups capable of bringing down prey much larger than themselves, such as pacas and agoutis. Bush dogs are a valuable educational species because they challenge the idea that predators must be large and imposing. Their secretive behaviour in nature means that even in their native habitats, many local people have never seen one. By presenting bush dogs in a rainforest context, the zoo helps reveal the hidden layers of Amazonian life, where many species survive not by dominating large territories, but by excelling in covert, cooperative and flexible survival strategies.

The jaguar (Panthera onca) stands as one of the most emblematic creatures of the Amazon, revered for its power, grace and symbolic significance. With elevated platforms, shaded dens, running water and thick vegetation, the space allows the jaguar to climb, hide, and patrol as it would in the wild. Jaguars spend significant time resting, but when they become active, their silent movements and intense gaze captivate visitors. Jaguars are solitary predators, hunting mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and sometimes caimans. Their jaw strength is legendary. A jaguar can pierce the skull of its prey, a behaviour uncommon among big cats. At the zoo, feeding enrichment often highlights this powerful bite through thick bones or specially designed feeding devices. Because the jaguar’s range includes French Guiana, it holds particular significance for the zoo’s mission. The biome connects this elusive predator with conservation challenges faced within a French overseas territory. Threats such as habitat fragmentation, illegal mining and conflicts with humans are explained alongside efforts to study and protect jaguars in their natural habitat. In this way, the jaguar becomes not just a magnificent animal to observe but a gateway into understanding the intertwined issues of rainforest protection and biodiversity conservation.

One of the biome’s most captivating aquatic residents is the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), a species I had never seen in captivity before. These herbivorous mammals inhabit slow-moving rivers, floodplains and lagoons. In the zoo, the manatee habitat includes a large, deep pool with underwater viewing areas that allow visitors to watch these gentle creatures glide through the water with serene grace. Their large, rounded bodies and slow movements contrast beautifully with the active fish swimming nearby. Manatees spend much of their time browsing on aquatic plants, and their ecological role is significant. By feeding on vegetation, they help maintain open waterways and prevent overgrowth, making them natural ecosystem managers. Their slow pace and gentle nature endear them to visitors, who often linger at the underwater windows to admire their movements. Educational materials emphasise the manatee’s vulnerability. These animals face significant threats in the wild, including hunting, habitat destruction and accidental injury from boats. Their low reproductive rate makes population recovery slow, further increasing conservation challenges.

The common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) is among the most impressive primates of the Amazon rainforest. Strong, agile and exceptionally social, these monkeys live high in the canopy where they move with prehensile-tailed ease. At the Parc Zoologique de Paris, the woolly monkey enclosure is spacious, tall and enriched with ropes, branches and platforms that encourage active climbing. The monkeys’ long limbs, soft fur and expressive faces make them particularly engaging to watch. Woolly monkeys live in large, dynamic groups, with fluid social structures that allow for alliances, hierarchies and constant interaction. Their vocalisations, grooming behaviour and movement patterns are essential parts of their social life. The zoo’s enclosure reflects this complexity: enrichment devices offer cognitive challenges, while varied terrain encourages climbing and exploration. These monkeys are frugivores, and their diet consists largely of fruits, leaves and occasionally insects. As major seed dispersers, woolly monkeys help maintain genetic diversity among rainforest trees, carrying seeds long distances before dropping them in new locations. This ecological role is crucial for forest regeneration, making them one of the most important primate species in the Amazon. Because woolly monkeys face threats from habitat loss and hunting, their presence in the biome also supports conservation awareness, showing visitors the delicate balance required to preserve rainforest primates.

High in the artificial canopy of the biome, the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) brings a burst of colour and personality. Its enormous orange bill, sleek black body and white throat make it one of the most easily recognisable birds on the planet. Although their striking appearance suggests an intimidating bird, toucans are lightweight and agile, using their oversized bill to reach fruit on branches too delicate to support their weight. The toucan aviary in the zoo is designed to encourage flight, climbing and foraging. Branches, fruit-feeding stations and elevated perches replicate their canopy lifestyle. Visitors often stop to watch the toucans manipulate fruit with surprising delicacy, tossing pieces into the air and catching them with precision. Their calls (sometimes croaking, sometimes sharp) add to the acoustic backdrop of the biome. Toco toucans are frugivorous, and through their feeding behaviour, they help disperse seeds across vast areas. This role is crucial to rainforest regeneration. The zoo highlights how toucans’ feeding behaviours influence plant diversity and forest structure, making them more than just colourful birds—they are active participants in maintaining rainforest ecosystems.

Among the smallest yet most striking residents of the Amazonia–French Guiana biome is the golden poison frog (Phyllobates terribilis). Despite their tiny size, these frogs are among the most toxic animals on Earth. Their brilliantly coloured skin (often bright yellow to orange) serves as a warning to predators. In the wild, these frogs acquire their toxins from specific insects in their diet. In captivity, where their diet differs, they lose their toxicity, allowing them to be kept safely in zoo environments. The terrarium dedicated to these frogs is a miniature rainforest, complete with mosses, leaf litter, damp soil and dripping water. Visitors must look closely to find them among the foliage, but once spotted, their vibrant colour makes them unforgettable. The exhibit includes magnified images and educational panels that explain their toxicity, their reproductive behaviour, and the ecological significance of amphibians in general. Just like other rainforest frogs, this species faces threats from habitat loss and disease. Their presence in the zoo raises awareness about the fragility of amphibian populations worldwide and the importance of rainforest preservation.

Plumed basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons) at the zoo are housed in warm, humid enclosures designed to evoke the riverbanks and forest edges of Central America, where these reptiles naturally thrive. Their habitat includes dense vegetation, climbing structures and a water feature large enough for them to demonstrate their remarkable agility. The controlled environment supports their need for high humidity and access to both vertical and horizontal space, allowing visitors to observe how these lizards divide their time between basking, climbing and patrolling the forest floor. One of the basilisk’s defining traits is its ability to run across the surface of water, a behaviour that has earned it the nickname ‘Jesus Christ lizard’. While zoo settings may not always allow for full-speed water-running displays, their strong limbs and fringed toes can still be appreciated in motion. Their alert posture, expressive eyes and rapid movements make them engaging to watch, and keeper talks often highlight the physical adaptations that enable their unusual locomotion. In addition to their striking behaviour, plumed basilisks are visually distinctive. Males display a high dorsal crest along the back and tail, as well as a prominent casque on the head, giving them a dramatic silhouette. Their vivid green colouring blends with the foliage, making them appear and disappear among leaves with ease.

The Madagascar biome is the fifth and final area of the zoo that creates a vivid, sensory-rich recreation of one of the most biologically extraordinary places on Earth. Madagascar, an island that split from Africa millions of years ago, evolved its wildlife in isolation, producing species found nowhere else. The zoo’s biome embraces this evolutionary uniqueness, creating an environment that conveys both the diversity and fragility of Madagascar’s ecosystems. Visitors find themselves surrounded by red laterite soil, tropical foliage, baobab-like structures and immersive habitats that bring them closer to lemurs, reptiles and carnivores that exist only in this faraway corner of the world. The biome is laid out like a journey across Madagascar’s climate zones. Tall trees and dense greenery evoke the eastern rainforests, while sandy, sun-baked enclosures represent the drier southern regions. Visitors soon understand that beneath Madagascar’s beauty lies a pressing conservation crisis: deforestation, habitat fragmentation and illegal wildlife trade threaten many of the animals represented in the biome. Every enclosure, species and educational panel in this zone is meant to inspire appreciation and encourage protection.

The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) embodies the vibrancy and astonishing diversity of Madagascar’s reptiles. Famous for its ability to change colours, it is one of the most visually stunning creatures in the biome. Panther chameleons display a wide range of hues (bright blues, saturated reds, greens, yellows and oranges) depending on their region of origin, mood, temperature and social interactions. Their colour changes are not only for camouflage but also for communication, especially during courtship or territorial encounters. Visitors often pause for long periods, mesmerised by the slow, deliberate movements of the chameleons as they navigate branches with zygodactyl feet and use their prehensile tails for balance or extra grip. Their turret-like eyes rotate independently, allowing them to scan different directions simultaneously, one of the most remarkable adaptations in the reptile world. The tongue can extend more than the length of the chameleon’s body and strike insects with stunning speed and accuracy. This unique feeding method is an excellent representation of evolutionary specialisation, Madagascar’s isolated environment fostered species with niche adaptations that allowed them to thrive without competition from mainland reptiles. The majority of the world’s chameleons live on Madagascar.

Lemurs are the ambassadors of Madagascar’s wildlife, and among the most threatened of them is the greater bamboo lemur (Hapalemur simus), a species whose presence in the zoo’s biome highlights urgent conservation needs. Once widespread, the greater bamboo lemur now survives only in fragmented pockets of rainforest. Its unique diet (consisting almost entirely of bamboo) makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat change. Even more astonishing is its ability to consume parts of bamboo that contain levels of cyanide toxic to most animals. Through specialised liver enzymes, these lemurs detoxify the plant, allowing them to exploit a food source few others can use. The zoo replicates the bamboo lemur’s habitat with dense vegetation, climbing structures and thick clusters of bamboo cane. Their faces, with expressive eyes and tufted ears, give them a charismatic presence that draws people closer. They are active, social primates that move gracefully between branches, often engaging in grooming behaviours that reinforce group bonds. Because this species is critically endangered, the zoo places strong emphasis on education and conservation messaging. The biome demonstrates how specialised species like these are at high risk when habitats disappear. The zoo participates in international breeding programs and supports field conservation efforts in Madagascar, offering visitors ways to contribute to saving the lemurs’ rainforest homes.

The radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) is probably one of the most recognisable tortoises in the world, known for its stunning shell marked with star-like radiating patterns, although not every individual has them. Endemic to Madagascar’s southern spiny forests, this tortoise is emblematic of the island’s dry regions. Sadly, it is also one of the most imperilled tortoise species, heavily affected by habitat loss and illegal collection for the pet trade and food markets. The zoo’s radiated tortoise enclosure recreates the dry, sunlit environment these tortoises inhabit in the wild. Sandy soil, sparse vegetation, rocks and basking areas give them spaces to roam and regulate their body temperature. The tortoises move slowly across the terrain, grazing on leafy greens, grasses and succulents. Their domed shells are not only visually striking but function as protection against predators and environmental extremes. Due to the fact that they reproduce slowly (laying only a small number of eggs per year) they are extremely vulnerable to population crashes. The zoo emphasizes this point to show how easily a species can be pushed toward extinction when exploitation and habitat destruction occur simultaneously. Conservation programs, including breeding and repatriation efforts, are highlighted as ways the zoo and global partners are working to protect these tortoises. Through the radiated tortoise, visitors gain insight into Madagascar’s dry forests and why the island’s biodiversity needs urgent protection.

The Madagascan tree boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) is an impressive representative of the island’s reptile diversity. Known for its large size and arboreal habits, this boa spends much of its time in trees, coiled among branches where it waits to ambush prey. Unlike many snakes, it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs, a trait that fascinates visitors and highlights the unique reproductive strategies found in Madagascar’s reptile population. The boa enclosure at the Parc Zoologique de Paris is designed to mimic its forest habitat with high branches, hollow logs and warm, humid conditions. Strategic lighting provides temperature gradients, allowing the boa to thermoregulate by moving to warmer or cooler areas. Visitors often find the snake resting in an elegant coil, its scales shimmering subtly under the light. When active, the boa moves with deliberate, powerful control, gripping branches with muscular precision. Unfortunately, like many reptiles on Madagascar, the Madagascan tree boa faces threats from habitat destruction and illegal collection. By showcasing this species, the zoo not only educates visitors about the incredible diversity of Malagasy reptiles but also emphasizes the conservation challenges facing even lesser-known animals. Seeing the boa up close helps dispel misconceptions about snakes, fostering appreciation rather than fear.

Small, brilliantly coloured and full of character, the Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis) brings a lively presence to the biome. Its bright green body, red markings and large expressive eyes make it instantly eye-catching. As the name suggests, this gecko is active during the day, a rarity among geckos, which are typically nocturnal. At the zoo, it often darts across branches or licks nectar from flowers, giving visitors a chance to observe behaviours rarely seen in other reptiles. Its enclosure is rich with foliage, flowers and smooth surfaces where it can climb using its specialised toe pads. These pads, equipped with microscopic hairs called setae, allow the gecko to adhere to surfaces through molecular attraction. This remarkable adaptation lets it scale smooth leaves, vertical glass and almost any other surface with ease. The exhibit highlights these adaptations and also showcases the gecko’s favourite foods, nectar, fruit puree and insects. The Madagascar day gecko plays a meaningful ecological role as both a pollinator and insect controller. By visiting flowers for nectar, it spreads pollen between plants, contributing to forest regeneration. Visitors often marvel at how an animal so small can play such an important role in its ecosystem. Unfortunately, as with many of Madagascar’s species, habitat loss and capture for the pet trade pose risks. The zoo uses this species to discuss responsible pet ownership and the consequences of illegal wildlife trafficking. Its bright colours and charming behaviour make it one of the biome’s most memorable inhabitants, helping draw attention to conservation issues in a visually captivating way.

If you’ve ever seen the Madagascar film series, you’ll be familiar with the next species. It is one of the lesser-known animals in the Madagascar that predates on many of the species mentioned already, it is of course the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). As Madagascar’s only large carnivore, it is the top predator in the island’s forests. With a long, muscular body, semi-retractable claws and a face that resembles a mix of cat, mongoose and civet, the fossa leaves a strong impression on visitors who often discover it for the first time here. Though it looks cat-like, it belongs to a unique family of carnivores endemic to Madagascar, illustrating the island’s evolutionary independence. The zoo’s fossa enclosure is designed to highlight the animal’s arboreal agility and stealth. It includes trees, climbing structures, hidden platforms and elevated paths that encourage natural movement. Fossas patrol their space with fluid, confident strides, often pausing to sniff the air or leap effortlessly from branch to branch. In the wild, they hunt lemurs, rodents and birds, relying on their speed and flexible bodies to navigate dense forests at high speeds. The enclosure replicates this vertical and horizontal complexity, giving the fossa the opportunity to express its natural athleticism. Educational panels provide insight into the fossa’s ecological role. As the apex predator on Madagascar, it maintains balance by controlling herbivore and small mammal populations. Without the fossa, lemur populations would surge, disrupting fragile forest ecosystems. However, the species faces growing threats from habitat loss and conflict with humans, who sometimes view it as a threat to poultry.

The Madagascar biome at the Parc Zoologique de Paris is more than an exhibit, it is a celebration of one of the world’s most extraordinary and endangered natural treasures. Through species like the fossa, panther chameleon, greater bamboo lemur, radiated tortoise, Madagascan tree boa and Madagascar day gecko, the biome illustrates the beauty, complexity and vulnerability of Madagascar’s ecosystems. Each animal reveals a different aspect of the island’s evolutionary history, from apex predators and specialised herbivores to dazzling reptiles and vital pollinators. There are of course many more but if I highlighted them all, this blog post would soon turn into a novel due to its length.

Hidden from the main visitor pathways yet central to the functioning of the entire zoological park, the zoo’s animal hospital is one of the most vital institutions on site. While most guests come to admire the animals in landscaped habitats such as the giraffes roaming spacious paddocks, otters darting through water, lemurs leaping through their forest, it is the hospital that ensures these animals receive the specialised care required for a long, healthy life. The facility is a blend of veterinary science, animal behaviour expertise, conservation-oriented medicine and day-to-day preventive care. It operates much like a small human hospital, but with the added complexity of treating an astonishing variety of species ranging from tiny amphibians to massive hoofstock and carnivores. Within its walls, veterinarians, veterinary nurses, keepers and biologists work together, handling everything from routine check-ups to complex surgical procedures. At the heart of the animal hospital are the clinical spaces where diagnostics and treatments are performed.

Modern zoos typically design these spaces with adaptability in mind, given the incredible diversity of patients that must be accommodated. Examination rooms are equipped with adjustable tables, padded flooring, and doorways wide enough to allow safe transport of large animals. Radiology suites enable staff to capture X-rays, ultrasound images and sometimes endoscopic footage, depending on the complexity of the case. Laboratory facilities within the hospital allow veterinarians to conduct blood tests, analyse faecal samples and check for internal parasites on-site, drastically reducing turnaround time for results. Rapid diagnostics are crucial in wildlife medicine, where early detection of illness can be the difference between swift recovery and serious decline. Surgical theatres equipped with advanced monitoring systems, anaesthetic machines suitable for species ranging from birds to big cats, and the tools necessary for both soft-tissue and orthopaedic procedures. Anaesthesia in zoological medicine requires specialised knowledge: dosing, delivery methods and monitoring must be adapted for each species, considering metabolic rates, stress sensitivity and behavioural differences. For dangerous animals (big cats, apes, certain reptiles or antelope) darting systems and remote anaesthesia are used to ensure both animal safety and human safety. Each operation is a collaborative effort, with veterinarians, trained nurses and often a keeper familiar with the individual animal’s behaviour all working in concert.

The zoo’s interactive kiosks are designed to turn passive observation into active discovery, giving visitors of all ages the chance to explore scientific concepts at their own pace. Spread throughout the site, these digital stations include touchscreens, sound modules, short quizzes and animated explanations. Each kiosk focuses on a different theme, ranging from animal adaptations and conservation challenges to ecosystem dynamics and veterinary care. These kiosks are especially useful for younger visitors, who benefit from hands-on activities that reinforce learning by encouraging exploration and curiosity. One of the most popular kiosks is the one dedicated to animal intelligence, which highlights cognitive abilities across a surprising range of species. Here, visitors can learn more about the memory of certain primates, compare puzzle-solving strategies used by crows and otters, or watch videos showing how elephants communicate, how octopuses learn and how social carnivores cooperate. The kiosk demonstrates that intelligence is not a single trait but a spectrum of skills shaped by ecological needs, navigation, problem-solving, communication, tool use and social complexity. By letting visitors experiment with challenges similar to those faced by animals, the exhibit deepens appreciation for the mental lives of wildlife. It communicates a powerful message: animals are not merely beautiful or entertaining to watch; they are thinking, feeling beings with remarkable abilities that continue to surprise researchers and inspire conservation efforts.

Modern zoos have three pillars: welfare, conservation and education, and the Parc Zoologique de Paris emphasises all three. The 2014 redesign was explicitly framed around conservation outcomes: larger, more natural enclosures, improved veterinary and husbandry facilities, and a stronger interpretive programme to connect visitor experience with pressing conservation topics (habitat loss, species decline, climate impacts). The park participates in European zoo networks and breeding programs for endangered species. It also runs targeted conservation programmes, for example species reintroduction or in-situ conservation partnerships, and engages in public education about how everyday actions affect biodiversity. The greenhouse and biozone displays function as living classrooms: you’re meant to leave with a stronger sense of the ecological relationships that bind species together and the human decisions that put them at risk. For specifics about programs (for instance, husbandry improvements for penguins or collaborative projects with conservation organisations), the park publishes updates and project pages.

The zoo is in the east of Paris, in the Bois de Vincennes (12th arrondissement), and is well connected by public transport, the Porte Dorée metro and several bus lines serve the area. The park is reachable easily from central Paris and is often combined with a walk in the Bois de Vincennes or a visit to nearby attractions such as the Musée de l’Histoire de l’Immigration at Palais de la Porte Dorée. Accessibility features (for visitors with reduced mobility, pushchairs, etc.) are listed on the park’s official pages; paths are generally accessible and many viewpoints are designed for all visitors, but specific needs should be checked in advance via the park’s visitor information. It is certainly worth the entrance fee and is somewhere you can spend the entire day. If you visit, please let me know what your favourite species was, this short video should help fill in any gaps I’ve missed!

References

Quertier, E. & Toussaint, L. F. (2019). Paris Zoological Park: The Guide. Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle: Paris, France.

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