Frequently Asked Questions - THE BIOPARC

What is the distance from your city to the Bioparc?

You can find on the Internet site of Transport Québec the approximate distance. Or see the list lower :

 

Montréal : 860 km                              Carleton : 62 km

Sherbrooke : 838 km                          Chandler : 87 km

Québec : 620 km                               Percé : 131 km

Rimouski : 318 km                             Gaspé : 207 km

Mont-Joli : 283 km                             Matane : 262 km

Pointe-à-la-Croix : 116 km                 Ste-Anne-des-Monts : 175 km.

 

Are domestic animals accepted at the Bioparc?

Except for guide dogs for blind or disabled people, absolutly no animal is tolarated on the ground of the Bioparc. They can cause high stress on our animals.

 

How long does it take  to visit the Bioparc?

It takes approximatly three to three an a half hours for a complete visit of all activities offers. If your time is short you can visit on your own, at you own pace, on the one kilometer trail. 

 

Is there a restaurant at the Bioparc?

From June 24th to September 1st a snack bar is open and also soft drinks distributors and picnic sites are in use for your comfort.

 

Do we need special equipment?

No special equipment is required. The gravel trail calls for walking shoes more than sandals.

 

Can I bring my stroller?

Yes, no problem.  The strollers with larger weels will easely ride on the trail. Wood bridges have stairs and might represent a problem for strollers.

 

Are the trails accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes. All the trails are accessible for wheelchairs except for the wood bridges because of the stairs. 

 

What species can we find at the Bioparc?

About 30 species are living at the Bioparc. All of them are from the Gaspésie. Amongst we find : seals, otters, raccoons, porcupines, foxes, coyotes, cougars, lynxs, deers, moose, caribou and many migrator sea birds, and prey birds.  Follow the links of the 5 ecosystems and find completes lists and also the interactive map of the Bioparc.  You will also find an insectarium with about 20 live species and numerous naturalised animals. On the small farm you will see, observe and even touch rabits, goats, poneys and many others.

 

Can we feed and touch the animals?

On the small farm many animals will be happy to receive a caress. For the rest of the Bioparc, it is formally forbidden to touch or feed the animals. Exception for the trouts in the pound if there is a guide with you, she will provide you with special food for the fish. Also you have the opportunity to handle certain insects and invertabrates with the supervison of a guide.

 

How do we get to the Bioparc?

Comming from Montreal and other cities, Google Maps suggest Route 17 in New Brunswick.  However we suggest an other route, shorter and which gives you the oppertunity of magnificent sceneries of the St-Laurence and the  Matapedia Valley :

First take autoroute 20 direction East towards Rimouski and Mont -Joli. At the turnabout go East Mont-Joli – Amqui.  In Amqui, at intersection of route 132 and 195, turn right and keep on route 132 all the way to Bonaventure. About 200 km. When you reach Bonaventure, cross the town, driving East, pass by a magnificient church and the bridge over the estuary of the Bonaventure river. Immidiatly  after, on your lef, you will find the Bioparc of the Gaspésie about 600 meters farther. 

 

Is the Bioparc open all the year round?

The Bioparc is opened from June through October and for Marsh school brake. However, reservations can be made for groups for visits at all time of year.  Follow the link for more details.  The Bioparc chalets are available on reservation at all times.

 

What are the opening hours?

The Bioparc opens  every day from 9 am to 5 pm or 6 pm according to the date.  Follow the link for more details.  Off season, you can reach the staf administration Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

 

How much does it cost for a visit at the Bioparc?

A visit costs $ 10.25 to $ 17.00 according to the age. Children of 2 years old and less enter free. Follow the link for details.

 

If I wish to visit more than once, is there a special price?

There is a fixed price for a seasonal pass which is lower than the price of two visits. This pass gives unlimited access to the Bioparc from June to October plus access to many evening activities and 10% rebate at the Boutique La Réserve. For more details, clic here.

Frequently Asqued Questions - THE ANIMALS

What do you do with the animals during winter?

Because all the species originate from Gaspésie, they are well adapted to our Quebec climate.  Thefore, most of them remain in their own pen once winter is in place.  These pens are approriately fitted so all the animals are  secure and protected agains cold weather.  However, there are a few exceptions such as ducks and other sea birds : the Atlantic Puffin, the Double-crested Cormoran, the Common Eider, the Black Guillemot and others..  These sea birds migrate south when fall comes around.  They are not physicaly adapted for cold weather and also food is rare and difficult to find. So we have special buldings to keep them warm and well fed all winter.

 

Which animals hibernate at the Bioparc? 

First we must understand what hibernating means.  Hibernating is a periode of non activity by an important decrease of body temperature and cardiac rythm observed on certain mammals during the cold season.  For example certain species of bats and groundhogs are typical hibernating animals.  Otherwise, the black bear, the skunk and the raccoon enter  a sort of torpor.  This torpor is expressed by a slighty decrease of the body temperature and the animals live on their reserves of fat accumulated during the warm season. They can awake if they are disturbed by noise or intruders.  Finaly, no animals hibernate at the Bioparc except the wild goundhog.

 

What can be done if an animal is found sick or wounded?

What ever animal is found wounded or sick  in the wild, like a fawn or a baby raccoon or a bird, we must never touch a wild animal in distress.  This attitude could cause an important stress on the animal.  It is frequent that the mother wanders away for hours to find food for herself and her offspring. This might bring us to think she has abandoned her offspring but that is not the case. The proper thing to do is to call the Bureau de protection de la faune of your sector (Wildlife protection agency). If it is a sea mammal, you can contact the immergency for sea mammal department.

 

Where do the animals of the Bioparc come from?

Most of the animals at the Bioparc come from other Canadian zoological institutes. But by exception to the rules, two of our birds of prey come from l’Union québécoise de réhabilitation des oiseaux de proie (UQROP). An institution for rehabilitation of wounded birds of prey.  A few species reproduce occasionnaly at the Bioparc, such as the Canada goose, the deer, the moose, the caribou, the red fox, the common seal,and the black bear. A few times, wild animals were rescued and adopted by the Bioparc.  But this is very exceptionnal. They are then held permanently at the Bioparc. It is in fact the case for a young raccoon and a juvenile moose.

 

What do the insects eat at the Bioparc?

Some vegetarian insects eat specefic plants. Others such as the beetles eat essentially oranges, apples and fruit jelly. Finaly, some insects eat other insects. 

Frequently Asqued Questions - LODGING AND ACTIVITIES

Where can we lodge in Bonaventure?

The Bioparc offers high quality chalets, entirely equiped, near the water (Baie-des-Chaleurs), and close to all facilities.  For more details follow the link.

 

The town of Bonaventure also offers different types of lodging: motels, hotels, chalets. A camping ground near the sea and one in the forest by the river. There you will find uncommun types of lodging such as teepees and other.

 

Do you have fixed prices for lodging?

The Bioparc offers package deals including varius activities with or without  lodging. Clic here for more details.

 

Is it possible to rent a chalet any time of year?

Yes, although the Bioparc is only opened for the summer, the cottages are available all year round. Different rates are offered according if it is low or high season. Clic here for details.

 

How do we reserve?

Call the Bioparc de la Gaspésie during office hours.  A deposit of 30% of the total amount of the reservation is necessary. For more details clic here.

 

What activities can we do in Bonaventure?

The town of Bonaventure is quite lively.  There are free outdoors shows in the evenings, family theatre, cruises on the Bay and on the Bonaventure river. You can relax on the beach, go for a bicycle ride on the cycle path of 4 km along the sea, visit the museum, taste our regional gastronomy in the restaurants. Try creative art activities or visit the boutiques. You can even buy fresh bread and many other tasty gastronomy. Sushis from local fresh fish. Follow the link and find many interesting addresses in Bonaventure.