A new animal park in Drarga, opposite Croco Parc: The Monkey Oasis

Projects to showcase animals are multiplying in Agadir and Souss Massa. After the announcement on this blog of the new "Safari, the wild expedition" at Domaine Limoune, which should open soon, the Drarga Municipal Council has just given the green light to the development of a new animal park, opposite Croco Parc : "The Monkey Oasis". The image above is an illustration photo.

This new park will be located on a seven-hectare plot made available by the Souss Massa Tourism Development Company, a public body created by the Regional Council.

This company manages an area of 130 hectares (our photo) called Drarga Animal and Leisure Park, which we already mentioned in 2022.

Twelve plots (see our plan) are planned to accommodate as many projects, in the form of rentals. Community facilities and basic amenities will serve these plots. A 13th plot will see the creation of a central garden, open to free access, as a resting point between visits. This green space, rich in plants, will include restaurants and cafes, an information kiosk and an amphitheater.

The buildings will have to be light, in order to be in line with the park's vocation, based on "techniques of landscape immersion, sequential views and reproduction of natural habitats."

As this Google Maps view shows, the development of the Animal and Leisure Park is already well underway.

The promoter of the "Monkey Oasis" project is none other than the Alléon family, who are behind the Croco Parc and Exotic Garden, with such success.

Created just 10 years ago by Philippe Alléon and Luc Fougeirol, Croco Parc is currently managed by Philippe's son, Jacques Alléon (our photo), who is also the boss of the very powerful Comptoir agricole du Souss.

The Croco Parc and Botanical Garden has already made a name for itself in favor of species conservation. It is therefore a safe bet that we will see at "The Monkey Oasis" primates whose survival is in danger in the forests of Azrou in the Middle Atlas: the Barbary macaques (our photo).

The required area will be larger than that of Croco Parc: seven hectares for the monkeys, compared to four for the crocodiles. The announced budget amounts to 35 million dirhams (approximately 350,000 euros). Some 40 people would be needed to operate "The Monkey Oasis," twice the size of Croco Parc.

Other projects could emerge at the Drarga Animal and Leisure Park. The Tourism Development Corporation cites, as examples, a shooting club, extreme sports, a miniature golf course, an equestrian center, and even a dog club. Investors take note!

The main project included in the Animal and Leisure Park is the Lion Park, initiated by Akim Abdel Hafid (our photo), and whose construction work began at the end of 2021. Its opening, announced as imminent, is still (highly) anticipated. The Lion Park occupies 20 hectares. Its cost is estimated at 110 million dirhams, or just over 10 million euros. It is expected to employ around fifty people.