Parque Lecocq facts for kids
The entrance to Parque Lecocq, with several mammals roaming freely just outside the main gate
|
|
| Location | near Santiago Vázquez, Montevideo Department, Uruguay |
|---|---|
| Land area | 120 hectares |
| Coordinates | 34°47′30″S 56°20′03″W / 34.79180°S 56.33427°W |
| No. of animals | 500 |
| No. of species | 33 |
| Website | https://montevideo.gub.uy/areas-tematicas/cultura-y-tiempo-libre/parques-plazas-y-zoologicos/zoo-parque-lecocq |
Parque Lecocq is a special nature reserve located northwest of Montevideo, Uruguay. It's close to the town of Santiago Vázquez. This park is home to many different animals, including mammals and birds. It also works to protect plants and helps save endangered species through special breeding programs. The park is right next to important wetlands, which are like marshy areas full of wildlife.
Parque Lecocq's main goal is to help protect nature and all its different living things, both in Uruguay and around the world. Did you know it has one of the biggest groups of Addax antelopes anywhere? These amazing animals are critically endangered, meaning they are very close to disappearing forever.
The former mayor of Montevideo, Ana Olivera, once planned to move animals from another zoo, Zoo de Villa Dolores, to Parque Lecocq.
History of Parque Lecocq
Parque Lecocq has an interesting past! The land where the park is now used to belong to a man named Don Francisco Lecocq (1790-1882). He was an important person in Montevideo during his time.
Don Francisco Lecocq studied in England, where he learned to be very creative and adventurous. When he came back to Uruguay, he brought new plants and animals to his land. You can still see some of these plants and animals in the park today!
Later, an architect named Mario Paysée had an idea for the park. He wanted to create a place where animals from all over the world could live in natural settings. The park covers a huge area of 120 hectares (about 300 acres). It also borders the protected area of the Santa Lucía Wetlands.
In December 2008, some fires were set at the park, burning about seven acres. The park had to close for a while but reopened in March 2009. Luckily, no animals were hurt, but some of their homes were damaged.
Meet the Resident Animals
Parque Lecocq is home to many fascinating animals from different parts of the world. Here are some of the creatures you might see living there:
- capybara
- antelope
- mouflon
- fallow deer
- lion
- zebra
- emu
- Greater rhea
- peccary
- chital
- Pampas cat
- bobcat
- coati
- crab eating raccoon
- prehensile-tailed porcupine
- crab-eating fox
- gray fox
- monkey
- llama
See also
In Spanish: Parque Lecocq para niños
