And the zookeeper is very fond of rum

I spent a recent afternoon where it's all happening: at the zoo. Just outside of Saint-Aignan is a pretty amazing zoological park. A local woman founded the zoo in 1980, starting out with a large collection of birds in aviaries. Since then, the park has expanded amazingly. The collection includes over 4,000 animals from over 400 species.

Some of the ring-tailed lemurs on Lemur Island. They were preoccupied and wouldn't turn around.

One of the first exhibits you see after entering the zoo is the island of lemurs. There are several varieties including the ring-tailed lemurs pictured above. They hang out on the ground and swing from trees. They seem as curious about the people going by as the people are about them.

There are lions and tigers and bears (oh my). Also zebra, rhinos, giraffe, sea lions, eagles, penguins, koalas, snakes, chimps, and elephants. They even have manatees and raccoons. The exhibits include amazing natural enclosures where the animals can wander around outdoors.

The zoo boasts the largest sea lion tank in Europe and there is a daily show starring the sea lions and free-flying raptors (eagles, kites, condors, etc.). It's quite a spectacle.

There are large aviaries you can enter and walk through while exotic birds fly around you. There are vivariums with snakes and other reptiles behind glass. It's everything you expect a zoo to be and more.

I didn't take a lot of photos while walking around, but there are a few that I'll share over the next days.