3 minute read
PARC OMEGA
Canada’s ANTI-ZOO
Home to some of the world’s apex predators
Canada is world renowned for its extraordinary wildlife. From some of the world’s apex predators like polar bears to humble creatures such as the skittish artic hare, the native species span the full spectrum. Vast spaces of untouched wilderness help them thrive and offer a chance for us to view them in their natural habitat. Parc Omega, or Omega Park as it is known in English, located inside Quebec’s Montebello region is one such place.
Parc Omega is far from a zoo. On the contrary, it is not the animals that are in cages here, it’s the humans – a comfy metal cage with reclining leather upholstery and woodfinished interiors, that is, your car. Visitors drive around a 15 km track inside the lush 2,200 acre park while viewing the various animals lounging in the vast open spaces, curiously watching the species in the moving cages.
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If you decide to visit the wonderful park, here are a few things to remember. Ensure your car has plenty of fuel, and snacks and hydration for everyone. But most importantly, make sure you have carrots, a tonne of carrots. The lounging exhibits like to be fed. So don’t be terrified if a massive 350 kg elk decides to walk up to your half-open car window and tries to stick his head in. He’s just come to collect the tasty toll. He’ll be polite and maybe even pose for selfies, as long as you hand over those juicy carrots.
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And if you don’t, these carrot thugs may even block your path. It’s their way or no way.
You’ll have the opportunity to feed elk, deer, moose, caribou and even friendly boarthat approach your car along the way. But not bison, they’ll just glower moodily from a distance. Frankly, you don’t want to get into the personal space of these 1,000 kg temperamental behemoths. They might look shaggy and large, but they can run as fast as a racehorse and jump up to 6 feet vertically. Bison selfies are not recommended. There are also black bears, foxes, coyotes, beavers, rocky mountain goats, and a whole heap of fascinating wild animals for you to admire.
The park is also home to wolves and offers opportunities to view and learn about them in their natural habitat. You can even stay at a cosy ‘wolf cabin’ located right within the stamping ground of a pack of greys, affording you unrestricted viewing into the lives of these intriguing creatures through panoramic bay windows. Don’t worry, your ‘cage’ is reinforced with triple-glazed glass. Whether you find being woken up at 3 am by the eerie sound of wolves howling soul-stirring or downright creepy, remains to be seen. But it will definitely be an experience you’ll never forget.
Winter transforms the park into a white wonderland and also gives you the chance to make yummy maple taffy on fresh snow. All the animals are still out and about, looking fluffier in their winter coats, doing their usual things, enjoying carrots and howling at the moon. Except the bears, they like to sleep in during the cold. Then again, don’t we all?
WATCH AUSTRALIAN TV PRESENTER AND PERSONALITY, DAVID WHITEHILL, INTRODUCE SCENIC'S AMAZING CANADA PROGRAM
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