Alpha safari park of wolves
Orianne Tison - Photo Fabrice Debono ( Provence Luberon News) - 17/02/2010
At Saint Martin de Vésubie, in the nature reserve of Mercantour, a visit of the Alpha safari park, meet wolves.
Provence > Provence Kiosk > Nature and Environment > Fauna > Alpha safari park of wolves
Alpha safari park of wolves and men
It's a long story, an animal rooted in imaginary collective. A wild animal which fascinates us and frightens us at the same moment. Hunted by the man during century, almost exterminated, it is today protected but this protection always arouses fascinated debates and raises numerous problems. The wolf always loved the Alps, it is in 1992 that packs cross again the majestic landscapes of the regional natural reserve of Mercantour. This repopulation is not seen in a friendly way by everybody, it's all one past, a whole history between the man and the wolf which reappears.
More the packs of wolf took their ease in Mercantour, more ardent debates originated around the wild animal. Every part in presence fighting only for its own survival a world of incomprehension seeming to exist for the ancient time among the two. While leaving of this report a man imagined a place, a neutral space, so that the man and the wolf meet, become accustomed, learn to know and why not learn to understand.
Wolves in the Mercantour
This man it is Gaston Franco the mayor of the charming village of Saint Martin de Vésubie. Situated not far from the Natural reserve of Mercantour and valley of miracles, a space of 10 hectares is dedicated to the wolf and to its history with the man. They are 3 packs of 22 grey wolves which live today in relative freedom in this space, named park Alpha! The name chosen for this park, is already an invitation to understanding this animal, because it is necessary to know that wolves live in pack very organized with a hierarchy respected scrupulously, couple alpha is the couple dominating the pack.
To go to meet this fascinating animal, it is necessary to make silently in hides foreseen for the observation of the packs. Here is come the time of wolves! If you remain quiet and silent, it is unforgettable scenes of life that you will take in your recollections. They are meetings which retain to you your breath and leash behind them an immortal recollection and emotion.
Alpha safari park a meeting place
The Alpha park was thought as an educational tool, and tells us the long history which exists between the man and the wolf. A part of the park is named " the time of the men " and tell us of these people who lived with wolves: ethnologist, herdsman, forest warden. A audivisual spectacle redraws the history of this animated cohabitation.
You will also be able to go to meet trainers and careful who work for the park Alpha. The house of the trainers opens its doors one day on two to the guests. If you visit this house you will be able to see the team of Alpha feeds the pack and the resources so the chance to observe them during their meal.
If you leave in the discovery of the wolves of the park Alpha, it is the beautiful meeting that you go to make. The meeting of this animal of legend in a luxurious place that of the valley of Boreon. Forests in the gigantic trees, torrents in the crystal clear waters, clearings, and in this luxurious landscape of wolves and people!
Photo gallery
-
Village of Saint Martin de Vésubie
-
An alpine place for wolves
-
The reception of the Alpha safari park
-
Collection of wolf representations
-
Auguste hide
-
A route well indicate
-
The sheepfold
-
Erps hide
-
Pelago Hide
-
A couple of wolves
-
Wolves like to play
-
The wolf is proud and observer
-
Attentive wolf
-
Suspicious
-
The snow does not bother the wolf
-
In an hide you will have the enjoyment to observe the wolf
-
The clearing of cherry
-
The team of Alpha safari park: Thierry, director, Stéphanie, animal responsible and Cindy, careful
-
Hide for observation
-
Nicolas trainer of wolves
-
The hospital for wolves
-
An intact nature in heart of natural reserve of Mercantour
The Vultures of Rémuzat
In Provençal Drôme, birds of prey and more particularly the vultures found refuge in the heart of les Baronnies.