Visit to the Myocastors park on the island of Oléron

The island of Oléron is full of truly astonishing places to visit! In Dolus, nestled in the heart of the pine forest, a park has hosted strange, naked residents for more than 35 years. Far from traditional animal parks, the Myocastors park is entirely dedicated to small semi-aquatic mammals which reign supreme here: coypus (Myocastor coypus) or marsh beavers! With a motto like “ Learn to know, know to love, love to protect ”, this true sanctuary offers an immersion in the life of these social and naughty rodents, unknown to the public and often unloved and considered harmful. There's nothing like getting up close, feeding and cuddling them to get to know these endearing animals and learn more about their lifestyle! The surprise is total, the experience unforgettable.

The Myocastor: the star of the park

Nicknamed the "marsh hare", there is no shortage of unfavorable terms when we mention the coypu: harmful, destructive, pest, scourge... Many ills are blamed on it. However, it's impossible not to fall in love when you come face to face with these cute little balls of fur!

A place of research, conservation, education and leisure, Myocastor Park is an ideal place to discover this adorable mammal in an educational way: this sanctuary is dedicated to them and the priority here is the well-being of the residents.

The visit begins around a pool where around ten coypus calmly go about their business: some swim in the water, others lounge in the sun or do a bit of grooming, standing on their hind legs. An animal guide from the park accompanies our group and introduces us to the myocastor about which we know nothing. From its endemic environment to its introduction into Europe, from its habitat to its reproduction including its diet, our guide brings us a multitude of information, sometimes surprising, often amusing, and always fascinating on the life of myocastors! Did you know, for example, that these small mammals can free-dive to more than 8m depth? Or that females have teats on their backs to be able to breastfeed their offspring while swimming? And yes, it is a dorsolateral pacifier, like the porcupine. Fascinating, no?

A little history about these rodents from elsewhere

We were far from imagining that this variety of rodent had arrived by boat from South America in the 19th century and introduced to Europe for the exploitation of its waterproof fur. When the fashion passed, the farms closed in turn and the animals were released into the wild, where they found their favorite environment: the banks of rivers, marshes, canals and ponds. Already acclimated to weather conditions and without predators, they multiplied across Europe until their numbers made them invasive, or even harmful to certain ecosystems.

We move towards a second, larger pool where a larger colony of myocastors flourishes. The keeper brings a bucket of carrots: it's feeding time ! Children and adults are invited into the enclosure to offer carrot sticks to the rodents who delicately grab them with their small front legs, made up of 5 fingers and long claws. The children are in heaven, especially since the coypus are happy to be petted. The guide enhances this moment of interaction with valuable information on coypu food and answers questions that young and old alike ask. Herbivores, coypu naturally feed on grass, branches, roots, cereals, bark and even aquatic plants...

Faced with so much cuteness, it's simple, we have this irrepressible desire to take them in our arms and cuddle them! This is precisely possible at this stage of the visit. Outside the enclosure, those who wish can enjoy a special moment with baby myocastors, eager for carrots and cuddles. A highlight of the visit up close to the animals, to be immortalized in photos.

We continue the visit by following a path to arrive in front of another enclosure: that of the Walabis, which we can also enter, accompanied by the animal guide. These curious little kangaroos easily come into contact with children. Magical moments to experience as a family!

To finish, we attend an original show: a few circus acts performed by a troop of rats delight the children, closing this beautiful day with a touch of humor!

Texte and photos prepared by Lesley Williamson for the Guide Charente Maritime

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