Parc des oiseaux adapts to climate change and heatwaves

The Parc des oiseaux in Villars-les-Dombes, located in the Ain region near Lyon, has been implementing a climate change adaptation strategy since 2019 to combat rising temperatures and heatwaves.

To protect animals, staff, and visitors, the park has redesigned key areas, such as the Humboldt penguin exhibit, which now features shade and air-conditioned buildings. Beyond physical infrastructure, Director Emmanuel Visentin noted that the park is rethinking its economic model and activity calendar.

Due to extreme heat, visitor attendance can drop by 55% to 60% on hot days. Consequently, the park is pursuing a 'de-seasonalization' strategy. While summer once accounted for nearly half of the annual activity in the 2010s, it now represents only about one-third. To stabilize revenue, the park is diversifying its offerings with spring and autumn events, contemporary art exhibitions, musical concerts, and illuminated night tours.