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Cabarceno Natural Park

Cabárceno Natural Park
Parque de Cabarceno.jpg
Park grounds
Date opened 1989
Location Penagos (Cantabria)
Coordinates 43°21′00″N 3°51′08″W / 43.35000°N 3.85222°W / 43.35000; -3.85222Coordinates: 43°21′00″N 3°51′08″W / 43.35000°N 3.85222°W / 43.35000; -3.85222
Land area 750 ha (1,900 acres)
No. of species >112
Memberships EAZA
Major exhibits Raptors, sea lions
Website www.parquedecabarceno.com

The Natural Park is located in Cabárceno, Pisueña Valley (region of Pas-Miera) 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Santander, located in a former iron mine in the town of Cabárceno Township Penagos (Cantabria, Spain). The park belongs to Cantur, a company whose purpose is the promotion of tourism and which is owned by the Government of Cantabria.

Cabárceno Park has two roles: one is the conservation of endangered species and the other is environmental education.

The natural park of Cabárceno is neither a conventional zoo nor a natural park (parque natural) in the normal Spanish use of the term. It is a naturalized space reclaimed from 750 hectares (1,900 acres) of a former open pit mine to the primitive beauty of the karst landscape.

The natural park is home to a hundred animal species from five continents living in semi-free conditions, which are distributed in large enclosures where one or more species coexist.

Except for food provided to them, the rest of the animal's activities are marked by their almost total freedom. Almost all of them trigger fights and mating season struggles for control of females.

More than 20 kilometres (12 mi) of roads cross the park, leading to gorges, lakes, and rock figures. Throughout the park are parking areas and trails.

Poisonous snakes such as cobras, rattlesnakes, and giant snakes, and turtles and lizards, can be seen. The reptiles' section is located at the entrance of Obregon Park, next to the café La Mina.

The park has many animal species, for example:

The Nature Park Cabárceno hosts throughout the year thousands of people.

The facilities that host animals are internationally recognized as one of the best there exist in the world.

Facilities available at the park include nursing, public phones, ATM, reptiles, environmental classroom, picnic areas, parking areas, self-service, cafeteria, restaurant, and souvenir shops.

Located in the heart of the Park, opposite the exhibition of ostriches and antelopes. A cafeteria and souvenir shop, with snacks, sandwiches and drinks. It has a terrace with the bear enclosure in the background. The Restaurant "Bears" has a capacity for 280 diners.

Located in the area of environmental education, has a capacity of 400 guests.

Located next to the elephant enclosure and the lake of the same name.


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