The natural park of Cabárceno is a naturalized space reclaimed from of former open-pit mines and restored to the primitive beauty of the karst landscape. The natural park is home to 100 animal species from five continents living in semi-captive conditions, including large enclosures where one or more species coexist. Except for food provided to them, the animals enjoy almost total freedom. Their environment and limited human interference allow the animals to live undisturbed as they would in the wild to promote a healthy ecosystem for all the species living in the zoo. The park has more than of roads as well as numerous parking areas and footpaths. The natural scenery of the park includes gorges, lakes, and rock formations.
Reptiles
The reptile section is located at the entrance of the park, next to the café La Mina. Turtles, lizards, and several venomous snakes, such as cobras, rattlesnakes, and some species of giant snakes, can be found in this area of the zoo.
There are several facilities available at the park, including a nurse station, public phones, ATMs, environmental classrooms, picnic areas, parking areas, a cafeteria, a restaurant, and souvenir shops. There is also a gondola to transport people throughout the park.
Los Osos is located in the heart of the park opposite the exhibition of ostriches and antelopes. There is a restaurant, cafeteria, and souvenir shop with snacks, sandwiches and drinks. It has a terrace with the bear enclosure in the background.
La Cabaña is a cafeteria located near the environmental education classroom and has a capacity of 300 guests and a variety of food options.
La Mina is a cafeteria located next to the reptile house at the main entrance of the park. It has a gift shop and terrace.
Botanical routes
Twenty-four of the 100 trees in the park are grown in some of the park's most visited places: the tiger, hyena, wolf and lion sections. Botanical paths are located near animal enclosures and display plant species.
Route of the yews, oaks and hickories
In the gardens, there are yew, oak, walnut, bamboo, birch, olive, oak, pine, cherry, horse chestnut, alder, holly, cypress, laurels, figs, bananas, strawberry, laurel, oleander, Atlas cedar, ginkgo, an ornamental barberry, mock orange, and pittosporum.
In the hyena section, there are birch, olive, cherry, oak, chestnut oaks, and elder trees. In the lobos section, there are laurel, willow, oak, lime and beech trees.
Route of the chestnut and pine
This route features pines, olive trees, oaks, fig, maples, chestnuts pines, maritime pine trees, cherry, medlar, oleander, Pyracantha, cordylines, griñoleras, and more.
The Environmental Education Centre has educational programs for grade levels between 3 and 18.
Scientific activity
The park has collaborated with the Deutsches Primatenzentrum and the University of Göttingen on the development of techniques that have allowed for study of the sexual cycle of the female African elephant via noninvasive methods. The park also collaborates in behavioral studies of the male African elephant via non-invasive methods to further understand the reason for high aggression shown by male elephants at certain times of the year. Known by the name “Musth,” the male elephant poses a serious danger to people and other animals. The park also collaborates with other zoos and partners with animal conservationists in the conservation of endangered species like tigers, lions, bobcats, rhinos, and more. The park is a member of IAZA and EAZA, which helps conserve, protect, and restore endangered species threatened by extinction.
