Parc Safari, located in Hemmingford Quebec south of Montreal, opened in 1972. Our only prior visit was at least 8-10 years ago. It features mainly African animals with a drive-through section and a walking route. The drive through (Safari) features animals such as water buffalo, giraffe, two varieties of camels, zebra, onagers, yaks, gaur, antelopes: addax, eland and oryx, watusi cattle, along with buffalo/bison, elk and red deer.
The Safari areas are primarily open fields with the only shade being along the fence lines. Many of the animals are used to open areas, but the elk and red deer were certainly looking for the shade.
All the animals on the Safari can access the cars - you are allowed to feed them celery or lettuce, but we only had a few come to the car for a hand out. Most were busy relaxing, or trying to deal with the many flies.
We were greeted on arrival by a harris hawk from the birds of prey collection
The first animals we encountered on the Safari were the water buffalo. They weren't interested in any handouts and by noon hour were soaking in the water
Some of the eland were quite happy to drop by
A giraffe seemed more interested in eating the roof of a feed shelter.
You aren't allowed to feed the zebras as they are known to bit the hand that feeds them. No zebra bothered trying for food.
The oryx, with their long curved horns, were trying to relax while construction crews worked around them building a mound out of dirt and rocks.
The addax, with their long wavy horns, were relaxing as well. They showed no interest in lettuce dropped by passing cars
Two dromedary camels were checking out the available handouts. They have a very "interesting" mouth. The two humped bactrian camels couldn't have cared less about the celery or lettuce
One of the watusi cattle with their enormous horns, did come out and meet the passing cars
We only noticed one gaur and it was keeping to itself
Three red deer, lying in the shade, were keeping an eye on things
The shaggy yaks were only interested in their hay, but one or two eventually checked out the offerings
The buffalo/bison, including some juveniles, were sitting things out. One was being bothered by a bird trying to pick insects of its face. That reminded me of the oxpeckers in Africa that actively fed on the insects on giraffes, hippos etc
Onagers, donkey-like animals from Asia, enjoyed the lettuce and celery
And then there are the elk. Only one was out on the prowl for vegetables
The other elk were over by a fence line, in the shade, battling the flies
Père David’s Deer (?) watching the action closely
Visible while driving were a few animals behind fencing. Cheetahs, waterbucks and a white rhino (The cheetahs were behind chain link fence, thus the "smudged" photos)
One walkway provides a closer look at the rhino, but more popular is the platform to visit the giraffes
The giraffes are very friendly and will gladly eat whatever you offer. In the wild they use their tongue to grip their food and pull it into their mouths. If the offering is small, they might wrap their tongue around your thumb. One giraffe, Bonnie, developed a sore cheek a few years ago. It was looked after by the vet, but she continues to let her tongue hang out.
Also visible from the platform is the start of the Safari and a nearby elephant enclosure which can't be seen from anywhere else
There is a clear plastic tunnel to see the lions. I remembered from last visit the lions lying on top of the tunnel. Not this visit....
A snow leopard was in a separate enclosure in the tunnel. It was seeking shade for a nap. A visitor was annoying it. It responded but calmed down afterwards
Two orphaned cougar cubs were recently received from BC. A contest is now on to name them
A pair of spotted (laughing) hyenas were in a smallish enclosure
Several Patagonia maras were running about. They look like a rabbit on thins legs or stilts
The llama was soaking up the sun
Alpacas have such interesting faces
For a price, you can take an alpaca for a walk...
A few red kangaroos hanging out
A mixed tableau of animals. A donkey, curly tailed pigs and a tortoise
The meerkats, fennec fox and crested porcupines were sleeping
Some non-african birds filled out their collection: emus, American flamingos, peacock and peahen, mute swan and a sandhill crane
As an added attraction, the Parc has a waterpark to cool off in after your visit. The Lazy River is a popular feature
A rose of Sharon plant certainly stood amongst the few gardens
A few local birds dropped into to enjoy the facilities
Green herons put on an aerial display
While 2-3 great blue herons enjoyed the fishing holes, although not sure how it could see any fish through the dense duckweed...
And the ever present Canada geese joined the heron (if you look closely at the first photo😊)
A killdeer and two solitary sandpipers. The sandpipers get their name "solitary" because they usually are found alone. The birds were at a distance so the photos are enlargements of tight crops and thus lost some quality
And last, and perhaps least, ring-billed gulls were playing king of the castle on one of the new rock/earth mounds, looking for snacks in the picnic area and laying claim to a pick-up truck
