“BEHIND THE SCENES”
We take care of nearly 2,000 residents every day at Planète Sauvage, wild animals of land and sea from all the continents. Such variety and richness in a 320-acre reserve requires the skills of a team of specialists.
1. Some portraits of members of the team
The animal keeper
He is in daily contact with the animals. He is responsible for the cleanliness of the shelters and enclosures, feeding the animals, making sure life in the herd and any births run smoothly and assisting the veterinary.
The technical manager
and his team ensure that all equipment is operating correctly. This includes the buildings that house the animals as well as Marine City’s modern and powerful filtration system. His role comprises the security, control and the quality of the entire infrastructure in place for the animals’ well-being.
The scientific manager
He organises exchanges of animals between zoos, integrates new species, drafts the information boards for visitors, supervises researchers who come to observe our animals, coordinates European Breeding Plans and analyses and comments on Conservation and Research projects with scientific partners.
The marine mammal certified handler
A "certified” handler is someone who has been awarded a certificate recognising their competencies in handling marine mammal species. Our handler oversees the animals’ well-being each day, administers medical care, watches the animals closely and is attentive to their behaviour.
The veterinary
The veterinary is responsible for the medial care of all the animals, for monitoring all medical parameters and assisting gestating females and regulating birth rates.
What do the animals eat in a year?
- 21 tonnes of carrots
- 25 tonnes of chicken
- 16 tonnes of apples
- 7 tonnes of various vegetables
- 27 tonnes of fish
- 140 tonnes of pellets
- 285 tonnes of hay
- 30 tonnes of alfalfa
The medical training
In order to improve the quality of care we can provide for our living animals at Planète Sauvage each day, our team have established a "training” program. By creating a relationship based on confidence with the animals, the animal team can habituate them to accepting care.
For example, the team can clean the elephants’ feet and inspect the Rhinos’ mouths. These actions are carried out without restraining the animals and they enjoy it enormously.
The medical training is also carried out with the dolphins. The team can then perform ultrasound scans or dental inspections on the animals.
Our respected partners
Planète Sauvage is a member of:
- ANPZ (National Association of Zoological Parks - France)
- Sahara Conservation Fund (United-States)
- Association des Eléphants et des Hommes (Association of Elephants and Men - France)
- « Yaqu Pacha » saving South America’s aquatic mammals (Germany)
Planète Sauvage is piloting research contracts with:
- The Nantes National Veterinary School (France)
- Mixed research unit “Ecology Evolution Ethnology” at Rennes University 1, affiliated to the CNRS (France)
Learn more about Research and Conservation
