Clères Zoological Park

▪ zoo, Clères, France

French  Parc Zoologique De Clères,  

      specialty zoo that has one of the world's finest bird collections. The park was founded in 1919 by Jean Delacour (Delacour, Jean Theodore), a widely known aviculturist and ornithologist, on his 26-hectare (65-acre) estate in Clères, Fr. Its bird collection comprises 1,800 specimens representing some 360 species. Waterfowl and pheasants predominate, but cranes, pigeons, parrots, and many other groups are also represented. Breeding has been successful with many varieties, including the rare Palawan peacock pheasant, Cuban whistling duck, and Hawaiian goose. Research has always been important at the park, and many new insights into bird behaviour, breeding, and systematics have emerged from the work carried on there. In addition to its birds, the park maintains several species of mammals, such as the blackbuck and Bennett's wallaby, which roam freely on the park grounds.

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