| Zoo Name: | Parque Lecocq |
| Location: | near Santiago Vázquez, Montevideo Department, Uruguay |
| Num Species: | 33 |
| Num Animals: | 500 |
| Area: | 120 hectares |
| Website: | https://montevideo.gub.uy/areas-tematicas/cultura-y-tiempo-libre/parques-plazas-y-zoologicos/zoo-parque-lecocq |
Parque Lecocq is a nature reserve[1] northwest of Montevideo, Uruguay, near the town of Santiago Vázquez. It houses mammals and birds[1] and protects flora[1] and pursues/supports breeding programs. It is adjacent to protected wetlands.[1]
Its mandate is to be a "support centre for biodiversity conservation both nationally and internationally."[1]
The zoo houses one of the largest communities of the Addax antelope (a critically endangered species) in the world.[2]
Ana Olivera, the mayor of Montevideo, has announced plans to move the animals of Zoo de Villa Dolores (located in central Montevideo) to Parque Lecocq by the end of 2015.[3]
The government of Montevideo's web site describes the history of Parque Lecocq as follows:
The land where the park is currently belonged to Don Francisco Lecocq (1790-1882), an outstanding man in Montevideo of his time. He was educated in England, where he forged a spirit of initiative and enterprise that applied in the importing country to its plants and animals return to their land, which still can be enjoyed in the park.It originated in a project by architect Mario Paysée, whose goal was to create a place with animal species around the world in natural settings. It occupies an area of 120 hectares, bordering the protected area of St Lucia Wetlands.[1]
An arsonist set several fires at the park in early December 2008,[4] burning seven acres.[5] The park was temporarily closed as a result, reopening March 2009. No animals were injured, but habitat was damaged.[6] [7]
The park houses the following animals:[8]