Fabrizio Fiorenzano Photography and Art

Giraffes

In the middle of Puglia, specifically Fasano, Brindisi, there is a naturalists paradise, one of a kind and moreover unique in Italy. In fact, the huge safari park, established in 1972 close to the Fasano forest, is a big faunal park covering an area of more than 140 hectares where you can admire, from a very short distance, a hundred different animal species from all over the world.
The Fasano park, a true natural oasis in the middle of the Mediterranean vegetation, is structured on the basis of a new type of zoo; while the conventional zoo is usually an animal display, sometimes cruel, without any scientific interest, here more than 95% of the animals, even though born in captivity, can enjoy huge spaces carefully reconstructed with consideration to their own natural habitat.
The park manager explains how important it is trying to leave a positive message to the visitors, sparking their interest and upgrading the educational aspect through explanations, leaflets, guided tours and documentaries.
The park is divided into two areas: the safari park and the amusement park “Fasanolandia,” perfectly incorporated in harmony with the faunal environment. The funfair is equipped with sensational attractions enjoyed even by the grown-ups.
For safety reasons, the safari park is only accessible by car where the larger animals live, while in other areas you can proceed by foot and by a small train called the metrozoo. You soon realize that here men are the animals guests and not the opposite; unfortunately, animals born in captivity cannot be freed, since they haven’t developed those characteristics in order to survive in the wild.
Once you have entered the park with your own car, you’ll drive along the main road that crosses the first part of the park. Along the road, that must be covered at a very slow pace, you will meet animals that could be dangerous, such as bears, elephants, lions, tigers, and leopards, and others more docile such as camels, dromedaries, giraffes and zebras, wandering free through the park.
Covering this few kilometers, the animals approach visitors’ cars, sometimes even slipping their head inside to have a look or ask for some food. The road skirts along the elephant pound, where the huge trunks of these giant creatures gently sneak into the cars smelling and caressing the passengers. These specimens are all female, and they can safely meet people because they are tame; the only male elephant is kept under strict surveillance and experiences no direct contact with people, not even the park keepers due to the fact that all male elephants can be aggressive.

Elephants

To see giraffes up close and touch their big heads that come down to be petted by the visitors is a very nice experience.  This can also be had with the petting of zebra, deer and other herbivores.

The head of a camel comes into the car through the window to sniff and explore for food. The children have a lot of fun and also the animals seem to enjoy being stroked showing genuine affection towards younger people. (To be follow..)

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