The sun is barely rising over the immensity of the Beauval zoo when Aurélien, Axel, Clément and Célia – boots and flocked t-shirts – enter, this Thursday in October, the animal park not yet taken over by its visitors.
In exchange for €220, these four animal enthusiasts will become caretakers for a morning.
The group is not full that day: the zoo can accommodate up to six people to live “an unforgettable experience”promise made on the Beauval website.
“We are behind the scenes. We learn lots of things”
After the distribution of enrichment to the lions (a change improving the environment of the species, a stimulus) – for example scenting cardboard boxes with essential oils and dispersing them over their territory –, then a visit to the hippopotamus building, the small group is now heading towards the Heights of China where the giant pandas live, a major attraction of the zoo.
But our six caregivers for a day will not take the usual route, that of visitors. They will discover behind the scenes. Once over the safety rope, Aurélien, Axel, Clément and Célia – accompanied by a scientific mediator and a mediator-caregiver, in this case Marie and Charlène – cross the door of the clinic.
“We will explain to you what medical training isCharlene begins. We involve animals in their care. For example, we leave the scale in the enclosure hoping that the pandas will walk over it. We teach them to pass their paw through the gate of the box to take a blood test. Or even open their mouths to see their teeth. » All in the language of Shakespeare!
3.500
In 2023, almost 3,500 people took part in the Healer for a Day event in child, teen or adult version.
Charlène and Marie, scientific mediators, supervised the group and provided their advice.
© Photo NR, Jérôme Dutac
Fagots on the back…
In the clinic, the participants, wearing latex gloves, are now preparing the enrichments for the pandas. At each end of a fire hose cut out and filled with pellets, they place gimlets. These food supplements – distributed morning, noon and evening – are weighed to the nearest gram. Each animal has a different ration: you have to be very precise!
In the clinic, participants prepare enrichments that will be distributed to the pandas.
© Photo NR, Jérôme Dutac
Axel, one of the caregivers for a day, who was given this gift, is over the moon: “I come every year, I know the zoo by heart”he said. A lifeguard, he defines himself in “animal lover”. And obviously he is won over by his morning: “We’re behind the scenes! We can ask lots of questions, we learn lots of things…”
Her neighbors, Célia and Clément, a couple from Versailles, share this enthusiasm: “It’s a birthday present from Clémentsmiles the young woman. I have a strong connection with animals, I have cats. I like the immersive side of the experience, the idea that we discover places closed to the public. »
“We discover behind the scenes”
Return to clinic. The keepers offer to bring in the bamboos delivered at dawn: bundles on their backs, they do so with good grace. Saving time for caregivers.
It is now time to go to the panda enclosure. The lucky four are the only ones to climb over the barrier to throw the treats to the panda twins Huanlili and Yuandudu, all under the eyes of a curious crowd.
Lucky keepers for a day can climb over the fence to feed the pandas.
© Photo NR, Jérôme Dutac
Aurélien, the first to take part in the exercise, has sparkling eyes: “ This morning is my 2023 Christmas present, from my partner. I had a great time. I would say that it is complementary to a classic visit. We discover behind the scenes and there is a real transfer of knowledge thanks to the mediators. We can see the love that the caregivers have for the animals: it’s reassuring. I had an unforgettable moment! »
All morning, the keepers for a day will continue their exploration of the zoo, which will soon no longer hold any secrets for them.
ZooParc de Beauval, Keeper for a day: on the website: https://billetterie.zoobeauval.com; or if you do not have a credit card: contact 02.54.75.50.00.
