Zoo de Doué, Troglodytic zoological park in Doué-en-Anjou, France
Zoo de Doué, formally Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine, occupies former falun shell-limestone quarries spread over two levels around animal spaces. Old quarry tunnels and paths link the enclosures, with vines and mosses on the walls. The park holds about 1,900 animals of 130 species, including black rhinos and okapis.
The park was established in 1961 when abandoned limestone quarries were converted into a zoological space. This transformation preserved the area's geological character while creating specialized habitats for animals.
The park coordinates two European Endangered Species Programmes and launched its "Projets Nature" in 2001, when Pierre Gay marked the zoo's 40th anniversary by funding forty conservation projects worldwide; by 2013 around 25 were running. A wooden sign reading "Le Bassin des Loutres" marks the otter basin, and a pair of giant otters arrived from Colombia in 2007.
The park is located between Angers and Saumur and welcomes visitors daily from February through November. Summer months offer extended opening hours in the evening, making late-day visits an option.
The underground chambers maintain a mild temperature naturally throughout the year without artificial cooling or heating systems. This allows animals that normally live only in caves or cool climates to thrive in the park.
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