It all started when the Balser family was asked to take care of a few crocodiles… and now they have the largest collection in Europe. After the success of these first adoptions, the environmental protection police SEPRONA (Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza de la Guardia Civil) has placed many animals in the Balser family's capable hands.
These animals – including chimpanzees, various monkeys, birds, among many others – usually arrive in very bad health due to being cruelly mistreated and confiscated from cargo ships, but they always recover under the professional care of the family.
This was the start of the Parque de los Cocodrilos, Gran Canaria’s only zoological park. It was first opened to the public in 1988.
Since then the family have continuously added animals to the park by buying them from private individuals and circuses, and they are also breed freely in the park. The big family of Bengal tigers you’ll see there, for example, were reared under the family's care.
Babu, one of the baboons handed to them in the past, was kept tied with the same chain around its waist until it was eight years old. It took two operations and months of treatment to get his health back and make him happy again.
About 300 crocodiles, species of tropical fishes, the Parrot Show on Treasure Island and a cacti garden number are amongst the attractions you’ll see in this unusual animal park.
What’s more, your entrance fees directly support the upkeep of this ever-growing park and the salaries for its professional and caring staff.
Opening hours: Sunday to Friday from 10.00 to 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)
Location: Carretera Gral Los Coralillos - Agüimes
