Jan
16

The Pucallpa Zoo Parque Natural de Pucallpa…

Map of the Pucallpa Zoo

Yesterday we went to the Pucallpa Zoo for the first time since we moved back to Peru in 2009. I have very personal ties to the zoo. In 1999 I donated my zoo in Pucallpa consisting of over 100 mammals and reptiles plus about 100 or so birds to the Pucallpa Zoo. They still had quite a few of them in 2003, the last time I visited the zoo but not anymore. Back to the visit… Kelly, Mama Rosa and I all hopped into a motokar and headed off to the zoo. From the center of the city expect to pay 3 or 4 soles to get there. Make sure you and the driver agree you will be taken to then entrance of the park. The zoo is located at km4.2 on the Carretera Federico Basadre LINK. Once you turn off the highway it is still another kilometer to the zoo. The last bit of the road is a muddy nightmare during the rainy season. Currently the zoo is in a state of chaos, which in this case, is a good thing. They were awarded about 6 million soles(over US$2 million) to upgrade and repair the zoo. There is ongoing construction in almost every portion of the park. The zoo has a long and storied past, it has seen it good times and bad, right now times are great!

The entrance fee is S/. 3.00(about US$1.20) for adults and 1 sol for students. Like everywhere else in Peru, make sure you are prepared. Bring a camera! You never know what you are going to see. Also take insect repellent, sunscreen, toilet paper and some snacks. Oh, and it being the rainy season, bring an umbrella, just in case! I posted a map of the zoo. As the map says, ‘use it to locate your favorite animal.’ You can expect to spend about 3 hours exploring the zoo, snacking and enjoying the beauty of the park. Enjoy the photos and I will be posting more on Facebook.