The Primate Forest, Brazil's first monkey immersion enclosure, officially opened its doors to visitors on Saturday (11) in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná.
Now, tourists visiting Eco Park Foz will be able to observe and learn about the habits of three species of primate: the pot-bellied monkey, the night monkey and the howler monkey, sharing space with American water tigers, Brazilian water tigers, mandarin teals, Chilean flamingos, toco toucans, deer, jabutis and land birds. The animals arrived at the enclosure after being rescued by the Water and Land Institute (IAT).
The inauguration of the Primate Forest was attended by journalists, digital influencers, tour guides, tourism entrepreneurs, representatives of the Foz do Iguaçu Municipal Tourism Office and the Onças do Iguaçu Project, supported by Eco Park Foz.
During the ceremony, the founding partner of Eco Park Foz, Leandro Mautone, recalled that the entire enclosure was designed and built to be safe, enriching and similar to the natural habitat. In this way, the native species can live harmoniously with each other, as well as providing a moment of environmental learning for adults and children who visit the nursery.
Immersion tourism
Mautone pointed out that the park is the result of the expansion of the mission of the Dreams Group, which has been operating in Foz do Iguaçu since 2014. Until 2022, the Group's focus was on entertainment, but just over two years ago it expanded its mission and began to worry about the environment and focus on ecotourism. "We started out small, with presentations of birds of prey, but we're growing. We want to contribute more and more to strengthening Destination Iguaçu by offering ecotourism options."
For the director of Marketing and Promotion at the Municipal Tourism Office, Adriane Bordin, Eco Park Foz is meeting the fastest-growing sector in Brazil and the world: experience tourism. "These immersive spaces help tourists stay longer in the city. This Forest, in particular, values our diversity and is sure to delight visitors," he said. "It really is an immersion in the world of monkeys," he added.
Elmo Junior, a digital marketing specialist, approved of the Primate Forest. "Eco Park Foz was already an option for the whole family, especially children. But now it's really incredible. I never imagined it would be possible to share space with monkeys," he said.
Journalist Denise Barbosa had a similar opinion. "We're happy when we get to know new developments in our city, because everyone wins," she said. According to Denise, Eco Park Foz is a welcoming environment and a great experience for families, but it is certainly a gift for children. "Today, boys and girls spend a lot of time on screens. Here, they activate all their senses in a healthy way. Learning about and respecting animals".
The Eco Park
In addition to the Primate Forest, parents and children can enjoy various other activities such as feeding giant rabbits, mini pigs, cows, calves and guinea pigs.
You can also visit the aviary with dozens of species of birds rescued from mistreatment, including parakeets, parrots, terrapins and tortoises. Also take part in the Owl Moment to learn about the history and habits of this animal.
Then, in the arena, you can watch birds of prey fly and come into contact with the horses. For visitors, there is still plenty of space to walk barefoot, rest and picnic. To top it all off, there are playgrounds and a lake where you can go pedal boating and meet the capybaras.
How to visit
Eco Park Foz is open from 9am to 5pm. It is located at Rua Cruz Alta, 111, behind the Dreams Park Show Complex on the Cataratas Highway and very close to the Iguaçu Falls and Argentina.
Residents of Foz do Iguaçu pay R$25 to visit the park. Residents of the region bordering Itaipu Lake and Iguaçu National Park pay a reduced rate.
On the website www.dreamsecopark.com.br you can buy tickets and find out about discount policies.
