Parque Lecocq is a zooGovernment of Montevideo. . Government of Montevideo. Retrieved 2011-09-09 located northwest of Montevideo, Uruguay, next the town of Santiago Vázquez. It houses mammals and birds and protects flora and pursues/supports breeding programs It is adjacent to the protected wetlands of Santa Lucía National Park.
Its mandate is to be a "support centre for biodiversity conservation both nationally and internationally." The zoo houses one of the largest communities of the Addax antelope (a critically endangered species) in the world."Uruguay alberga una de las comunidades de antílopes más grande". El Pais. . Retrieved 2011-09-09.
History The government of Montevideo's web site describes the history of Parque Lecocq as follows:
The land where the park is currently belonged to Don Francisco Lecocq (1790-1882), an outstanding man in Montevideo of his time. He was educated in England, where he forged a spirit of initiative and enterprise that applied in the importing country to its plants and animals return to their land, which still can be enjoyed in the park.
It originated in a project by architect Mario Paysée, whose goal was to create a place with animal species around the world in natural settings. It occupies an area of 120 hectares, bordering the protected area of St Lucia Wetlands.
An arsonist set several fires at the park in early December 2008,"Procesan a incendiario del Parque Lecocq." http://www.elpais.com.uy/08/12/10/pciuda_386482.asp. Retrieved 2011-09-09. burning seven acres."Parque Lecocq: cebras y leones casi al natural." http://www.elpais.com.uy/09/04/12/pciuda_410407.asp. Retrieved 2011-09-09. The park was temporarily closed as a result, reopening March 2009. No animals were injured, but habitat was damaged."El Parque Lecocq después del incendio." http://www.elpais.com.uy/Suple/QuePasa/09/05/23/quepasa_418538.asp. Retrieved 2011-09-09."Bomberos extinguió incendios en Lecocq y Florida." http://www.elpais.com.uy/081208/ultmo-386092/ultimomomento/bomberos-extinguio-incendios-en-lecocq-y-florida/. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
Resident animals The park houses the following animals:Government of Montevideo. http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/sites/default/files/articulo/mapa_0.pdf. Government of Montevideo. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
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
References