Africam Safari

Africam Safari is a Mexican safari park that was established in 1972 by Captain Carlos Camacho Espíritu.[1] It is located about 17 kilometres (11 mi) from the city of Puebla, Mexico.[5]

Africam Safari
Common eland with visitor cars in the background
Date opened1972[1]
LocationPuebla, Mexico
Coordinates18.9371194°N 98.1367064°W / 18.9371194; -98.1367064
No. of animals2500[2]
No. of species350[2]
MembershipsAZA,[3] WAZA[4]
Websitewww.africamsafari.com.mx

Africam Safari is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

History

Africam Safari started as a private animal collection owned by Carlos Camacho Espíritu, a veteran, pilot, radio host and business man, who lived in Valsequillo, Puebla. Camacho got the idea to create a park where animals could develop and reproduce their species in areas resembling their habitat in the wild. Camacho called this zoo prototype Africam, a portmanteau of Africa (continent where most of the species in the zoo come from) and his last name Camacho.[6]

Africam Safari first opened to the public on April 2, 1972. Carlos Camacho died on October 28, 1976.[1]

Animal collection and sections

Safari
Grant's zebras at Africam Safari

Visitors to the park become immersed in the animal habitats, which very closely resemble the wild. The animals roam freely and the visitors can observe them from their own vehicles or the park's guided buses. Africam Safari has several habitats, including African Savannah, American steppes, Tropical Jungle, Mexican Forest, Tiger Lake, Lion Territory and walk-through adventure zone. There are approximately 2500 animals of 350 species that roam freely in a habitat which is said to encourage animal development and reproduction. There are signals next the way that prevent the visitor from animal attacks, advising the visitor to close the window and not to disturb the animals.

Adventure Zone
White fallow deer and habitat view

The Zona de Aventuras (Adventure Zone) is a section in the park where vehicles are not allowed and visitors must walk to get in different areas. This section includes a butterfly zoo, a bat exhibit, a herpetarium and insectarium, kangaroo exhibit and a botanical garden.

This section is home to giant anteaters, agouti, red pandas, Chilean flamingo peacocks, spider monkeys, Morelet's crocodiles, prairie dogs, southern screamer, tufted capuchins, scarlet macaws, meerkats, African spurred tortoise, kinkajous, blue tegu, hamadryas baboons, trumpeter hornbills, highland guan, gray brocket, African porcupines, rhinoceros hornbills, gray Mexican wolf, Indian pythons, crocodile monitor, savannah monitor, squirrel monkeys, red-handed tamarin, horned guan, patas monkey, big hairy armadillo, great horned owl and black swans.

Nocturnal Safari

From December to January visitors can stay longer at the park, take a bus through the main sections at night, and watch the animals when they are more active. The lions, antelopes, hippopotamuses, buffalo, and tigers are much more active during this nocturnal tour. The Adventure Zone is also open during this time, with night activities.

Conservation

Captain Carlos Camacho Espiritu created Africam with the purpose of creating a community conscience about the protection of animals. It is one of the few such establishments in Latin America which includes white tigers in its list of animals.

Africam Safari was the first institution in Mexico to successfully assist reproduction of the golden eagle, which is pictured on the Mexican flag. The Safari maintains a captive population of the tuxtla quail-dove, and have been very successful in breeding this endangered species. Other conservation programs in the wild in which Africam Safari is involved: jaguar in the northern Mexican mountains, humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean, flamingos the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexican military macaw, sea lions off the Mexican Pacific Coast, manatee in Quintana Roo, and many others.

References
  1. Más sobre Africam: Cap. Carlos Camacho Espíritu Archived January 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Africam Safari, (More About Africam: Captain Carlos Camacho Espíritu)
  2. Africam Safari Puebla-México Archived October 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine FAQs
  3. "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  4. "Zoos and Aquariums of the World". waza.org. WAZA. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  5. ¿Cómo Llegar? Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Africam Safari (¿How to get there?), retrieved January 31, 2012
  6. Bitácora de Expedición: Africam Safari Puebla-México (Expedition Logbook: Africam Safari Puebla-México); Africam Safari's guiding booklet by Coca-Cola (2010)
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