Natura Viva Park, located between Lake Garda and Verona, in the municipality of Bussolengo, is a modern zoo which has always been committed to the conservation of biodiversity and a center of protection for endangered animal species.

It extends over a vast natural area and forests and is home to over 1500 animals of 200 different species divided on a geographical basis.

Brief history of the birth and development of the park

The Natura Viva Park was inaugurated in the late 1960s, thanks to the far-sighted idea of ​​the architect Alberto Avesani, the founder, who transformed part of his farm into a wildlife area. The desire was to create a park, open to the public to host both exotic and native animals.

In 1973 SAFARI was inaugurated, the sector dedicated to African mammal and bird species to be visited on board one’s own vehicle.

Since 1985, a major redevelopment and expansion project was launched which has led the park to become a modern zoological park and research center of international importance.

The Mission of the Park

The survival of natural environments and of numerous animal and plant species is seriously threatened by the rapid growth of the world population and the consequent increase in the demand for natural resources.

For years, the Natura Viva Park has been involved in various campaigns for the conservation and protection of fauna species in defense of BIODIVERSITY, becoming an important reference point as a center for the protection of species.

The Natura Viva Park is part of an Italian and European network of zoos, which work together coordinating their conservation efforts, maintaining high standards of management of animals in captivity.

The actions implemented by the Natura Viva Park are fundamental: Conservation, Research, Environmental Education.

The Convention on Biological Diversity drafted in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, it contains the fundamental conservation actions of the living species to which the Park has adhered in carrying out its protection activity.

The Natura Viva Park is engaged in RESEARCH for the management of animals with non-invasive methods conducted through the observation of the species within their departments, knowledge of their natural habitats, behavioral studies, well-being, nutrition and reproduction.

The commitment to environmental education conducted by the zoo aimed at bringing visitors closer to animals is very important.

Developing awareness of the relationships between species, the environment and human actions is an important step to be taken to safeguard and preserve living species.

The structure of the park

The park consists of TWO SECTIONS:

The “Faunistic” is the pedestrian section of the Park divided by geographical areas: the paths of Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Europe, America, Oceania.

There is also a large area dedicated to prehistory: the Extinction Park.

Along the African Trails you can admire several African animals including hippopotamus, rhinoceros and antelope, cheetahs, lions and chimpanzees.

In the Madagascar area, you can see various species of lemurs, including the rare Indri lemur, the fossa and the vasa.

Near this area you can make a geographical jump to Australia and meet the eastern gray kangaroos, black swans and other animals originating from Oceania.

The Journey to discover the Animals of the World continues and you enter the section of Asia, where you can enter a characteristic Yurt tent.

Camels, Manchurian cranes and the Red Panda department, will lead the visitor to discover the Asian continent. In this section there are observers dedicated to the Siberian tiger and the rare snow leopard.

It is the area of ​​large aviaries dedicated to Raptors, Vultures and Storks.

Continuing the path on foot, immersed in the beauty of the park, you access a beautiful oak forest that welcomes the departments of the Eurasian species, such as the lynx and the wolf.

In Borealia, the area dedicated to cold animals, you can admire owls and reindeers or the European bison.

We then arrive in South America with departments dedicated to small South American monkeys, the bear with glasses and much more.

We cannot forget Amazonas: the large aviary of parrots and the different species of macaws.

 EXTINCTION PARK

Inside the park there is a large area dedicated to prehistory: the Extinction Park. The models reproduce the first giant dinosaurs: spinosaurus and tyrannosaurus.

Chelonia is very interesting, the area dedicated to the protection of rare turtles and tortoises.

Emotions don’t end there! The park is really very large and full of experiences that leave young and old spellbound.

House of Giants

The tropical greenhouse: House of Giants dedicated to gigantism and dwarfism in the animal kingdom, includes some models of giant species extinct in nature and many living animal species.

Inside the wildlife area, a stop at the FARM where you can see up close, goats and many other domestic animals such as guinea pigs, alpacas, sheep is very interesting even for younger children.

At the end of the tour, you can find refreshment in the various equipped areas within the Park: the OASI GOMBE, the Frutteria Maromizaha (Food Truck), the Simba-self Restaurant, the Manas Fast Food area or have fun in the playground and picnic area Animaliadi.

 THE SAFARI

The Safari section is a circuit that you can travel on your own car, along a path of about 40 minutes, without refreshment points.

The Safari is an exciting tour, to discover the habitat of African animals where you can admire species in freedom.

Giraffes, antelopes, wildebeests, lemurs, African sheep and ferocious carnivores, spotted hyena, lion, cheetah.

THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR

The EDUCATIONAL SECTOR for children and teenagers proposed by the park is very interesting, with numerous recreational activities that focus on animal life.

The educational initiatives take place on festive, pre-holiday days and during the school holidays.

For further information, I suggest you visit the Park website and stay updated on the countless initiatives and activities.