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A Day in the Life of an Animal Caretaker at Sainte-Croix Park

Located in the heart of a pristine natural setting, Sainte-Croix Park is a leader in European wildlife conservation. We offer a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals through our “Animal Keeper for a Day” program. This exceptional experience allows you to go behind the scenes of an animal keeper’s job by actively participating in the care of the animals and the maintenance of their habitats.

Dive into this captivating adventure and leave with a new understanding of the animal world.

4 immersive experiences

Small Farmer

Young farmers get involved and learn about life on the farm: brushing the donkeys, feeding the chickens, and feeding the rabbits, pigs, and goats—for ages 5 and up

Biodiversity Mission

Come meet the animals on the “Neo’s Journey: Mission Biodiversity” trail: creating enrichment activities and cleaning the lemur enclosures, distributing branches to the red pandas, feeding the white pelicans—for ages 8 and up

European Wildlife

Discover the lives of European wildlife: observe and help care for the animals in the deer enclosure, feed the wild boars, create enrichment activities for the carnivores, and more. The adventure continues with the Florida turtles and tarpans—for ages 8 and up

New World

Discover the animals of the New World: creating enrichment activities and cleaning the enclosures of black bears, porcupines, and raccoons; feeding prairie dogs—ages 12 and up

Arrival and the course of the event

Your day begins at the park’s reception area, the starting point of the experience. Once you arrive, our team will welcome you and go over the detailed itinerary.

You will then meet the animal caretaker-guide who will accompany you throughout this immersive experience. Before we begin, we’ll provide you with the necessary equipment: gloves, buckets, and other essential accessories. We’ll also review the safety guidelines to ensure a peaceful experience that respects the animals.

Please note

Be sure to bring boots, weather-appropriate clothing, and a change of clothes. You may also bring a camera, but we recommend handling it with care to avoid loss or damage.

Up close with the animals

Once you’re all set, you’ll dive right in by taking part in the essential daily tasks of the caregivers:

1. Preparing and distributing food according to each species’ needs

2. Maintaining the animals’ habitats: cleaning their enclosures to ensure optimal living conditions for the animals.

3. Observing animal behavior: each interaction will help you better understand their habits and needs.

4. Encountering iconic species: bears, donkeys, red pandas…

Behind the Scenes: Understanding the Role of a Caregiver

Throughout the experience, you’ll interact with our animal caretaker, who will share stories and talk about his passion for his work.

The role of an animal caretaker isn’t limited to feeding the animals; it also includes crucial tasks such as enriching the animals’ environments to encourage natural behaviors, managing veterinary care, and raising public awareness about biodiversity conservation.

An immersive and enriching experience

This day in the shoes of an animal caretaker is a rewarding experience, both emotionally and educationally. It will give you a better understanding of the daily lives of these professionals and the importance of species conservation.

Whether you’re an animal lover or simply curious to see what goes on behind the scenes at a wildlife park, “Caretaker for a Day” is an adventure you won’t want to miss.