In the Varenne valley, south of Dieppe, clinging to its promontory, it's birthing season at the Rêve de Bisons animal park.
Four wolf cubs have come to complete the packs of black wolves and white wolves, while the bison herd has grown to around 350 head and as many deer.
The trainers are therefore on all fronts to monitor and guarantee the well-being of its wild animals which have been living in semi-freedom since the beginning of the 1990s on nearly 120 hectares.
The family business is especially ready to welcome the more than 11,0000 annual local tourists, from Hauts-de-France or Ile-de-France.
And among these visitors, which one hasn't dreamed of discovering behind the scenes?
This is what the animal park offers with the Caregiver Days.
Guaranteed wonder
The founder Xavier Denis chose to test these mornings in immersion: “we want to start slowly to see what interests people.
So, in a small group, from 7:45 in the morning, after having breakfast on site, the trainees leave with the trainers for first of all a compulsory check, as three times a day, of all the enclosures and the fences.
Check if a tree has not fallen for example.
Then, they enter the airlocks to participate, if they wish, in the observation, cleaning, care and feeding of wolves and bison.
They will get the thrill that the visitor cannot have.
This real side where you find yourself straight in the eyes of a wolf.
When you give him a piece of meat or you have to participate in a capture to give medicine”.
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And, after the first two meetings, the leader realized that “the participants are amazed.
That for them, the technical part is more exciting than a simple visit, because they are on the forbidden side.
They want to understand the ways of life, the hierarchies especially at this time when life is waking up, the little ones are arriving.
They are hyperactive.
The Indians say that to feel nature, you have to hear the drum.
The beat of his heart.
And there, if it is the case, it is gained!
".
Once the service is done, everyone meets for lunch and debriefing.
Then, the trainees become visitors again and can explore the park all the rest of the day at their leisure.
Back in September
For this trial phase, there is only one date left before the summer season, Saturday June 25 (140 euros per person - Reservations required at 02.35.34.13.26): "We will do these trainer days during periods of animal activities.
July and August are reserved for visitors.
We are planning a complete program from September which will include the evenings of stag slabs and wolf reproduction with their howls.
Times when you feel the cold, the wind and the smells.
A total immersion in this part of Norman Canada”, invites Xavier Denis.
