If you are looking for a day out with a difference and the chance to get up close to and handle ‘wild’ animals then a trip to the Zoo de Castellar should be on your list.
This is no normal zoo—in fact it was set up as—and continues to be—a rescue centre for exotic animals and birds. As such the emphasis is on the animals rather than the visitor, but it does offer paying visitors the chance to stroke and hold a variety of animals.
Exactly which animals you can interact with depends on what is in residence at the time, with, in the past, a tiger cub (named Princessa) and lion being available for visitors to cuddle with.
Exotic species rescued in Spain
Located in the village of Castellar de la Frontera, about ten minutes inland from Sotogrande, the zoo was set up as a rescue sanctuary in 1998. Funding proved to be a problem as the centre gets no public grants, so in 2002 the doors were opened to the public in order to raise funds for the work it does in looking after exotic animals and birds.
Most of these come via the Guardia Civil police and customs, and have been seized from animal smugglers heading from Africa to Europe, although they have also rescued tiger and lion cubs from circuses and their latest exhibit—a black panther cub—has recently arrived from a Slovakian zoo that closed down.
Other residents include emus, pythons, ocelots, Vietnamese pot bellied pigs, lemurs, exotic birds, vultures and many more. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the animals (where safe to do so) by stroking and meeting them, and small bags of food can be bought to feed some of the animals.
Diverting day out from Marbella
This emphasis on getting to know the animals is what makes the Zoo de Castellar an interesting and diverting trip for all the family, but for those worried about letting their children get too close to the animals don’t worry—it is not compulsory!
The zoo is open every day from 10am until sunset, with tickets costing €15 for adults, €10 for children and €12 for pensioners. Annual passes are available and the zoo can be reserved for children’s parties.
Castellar de la Frontera is a 45-minute drive from Marbella and close enough to Sotogrande to combine a trip to the zoo with an afternoon at the picturesque marina for a memorable day out.
For more information visit the zoo’s website here.