Ecomuseum Zoo — Attraction in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue

I think it's great that the ecomuseum only houses animals that are local to Quebec, and even then only animals that cannot be released in the wild (due to injury, being orphaned, or bred in captivity). I like to support them because they are helping animals and they keep them in habitats that are mimicking where they would be in nature. Unfortunately, whenever you go, you will not see all of the animals because some will be in hiding, but in the 3 times I've visited, I did see quite a few.

Last time I was there, I attended one of the shows run by the attendants and I highly recommend it as we were able to see a small falcon up close (the person walked around) and learn a lot about them. The centre is completely bilingual and gives the tour in both english and french.

I was very disappointed in one aspect the last time we went that is unrelated to the animals or the exhibits. I had gone last year towards the tail end of the pandemic, where you were allowed to be around people, but outside/with a mask/etc. And we had reserved tickets in advance and one of our group couldn't make it at the last minute because she was sick. At the time, we mentioned this at the ticket booth and the manager came out and said we could use the ticket in the future and to just bring back the printout (where she had written "UNUSED"). We came back the next summer with other tickets purchased in advance, except for the one person who already had the pre-bought ticket. When we arrived, they wouldn't let her use the ticket and said it had been over a year, so it was no longer valid. At the time, the manager never said anything about there being a time limit. We spoke to another manager and she said it's the company policy and so we had to buy another ticket for that person. So in total, $17 was spent the previous year on that ticket and another $24.50 was spent on a ticket this year. We had already bought everyone else's ticket that day with the expectation that we would all go in together, so we had no choice. I just feel it is a bit dishonest on their part because they should have told us at the time, either that there was a time limit OR that it was their policy that we couldn't have a last minute cancellation or something.

Anyway that part is my gripe about their managerial style and nothing to do with the...

If you are looking for flashy exotics, this is not the zoo for you. This zoo will be best appreciated by naturalists and those who value wildlife rehabilitation centres.

The free parking lot is a good size with clearly marked spaces. There is a nice new seating area for picnics. You can bring your own food but there is a food truck outside of the front entrance where you can buy coffee, snacks and ice cream. The truck was not open during our visit so I can't comment on food quality.

Ecomuseum zoo starts off with an indoor amphibian display which houses reptiles, etc. from the local region. The displays are clean and well set up. It's nice that there is a step up ledge for little kids to see better.

Once outside, we were a bit disappointed at first because most of the animals we would be able to see in our own backyard or local park and because there were a few empty enclosures - ie: fox exhibit waiting for new residents, the duck aviary was empty because it is under repair but still accessible and nice to walk through. it's leads to a small playground for children. However, the further you go, the more obvious it becomes that the zoo is in a state of ongoing growth and improvement and most of the enclosures are very impressive in closely recreating the most natural habitat possible. New areas for seating and play are in several areas. The wood maze and little Zipline were a hit with my kids.

All of the animals that live in the zoo are there because they cannot be released into the wild for various reasons like injury or domestication. You can scan a QR code on the enclosure signage to read the story of each animal in the zoo and how it came to be there.

Gift shop is very nice. It's a nice afternoon outing and I would visit again...

Don't come to the zoo if you want to be treated like a person or with any level of respect. The staff is horrible super rude and they're practically no animals other than some amphibians in some glass enclosures in the very entrance. They claimed to have a bear no bear no wolf no foxes no wildcats if you're lucky you'll see a blue jay and some squirrels running around maybe a deer. They honestly should not be calling this place a zoo the zookeepers are not interested in helping you find anything. All of the plants are overgrown the weeds are 6 ft high. The dirt paths between the playgrounds which is all this place is a collection of playgrounds is not maintained as well. Below is the one mammal we saw in the zoo.

Regarding their response. They were indeed very rude. The exhibits were overgrown regardless of their comments. There has to be some middle ground if they are charging guests to see animals there needs to be some ability to see animals and we were there at around 2pm the weather was very pleasant and not hot as claimed by the staff. Bottom line is I would never recommend this "zoo" to anyone, the experience simply isn't worth the drive time or cost of entry. I stand by my assessments 100%. This zoo is the worst I have ever been to in my life and I have been to over 40 zoos or conservation centers in...