Parc zoologique et forestier Michel-Corbasson

The Parc zoologique et forestier Michel-Corbasson stands on Mont Montravel above Noumea in New Caledonia, 34 hectares of zoo and botanical garden opened in 1972 and run by Province Sud. It holds more than 600 animals of over 90 species, mostly birds, because before Europeans arrived the only native land vertebrates here were reptiles, birds and bats.

Much of the collection is endemic and gathered in the Vallee des endemiques: the kagu, the territory's emblem, bred here to restock the wild in partnership with Yokohama, San Diego and Walsrode; the notou, the cloven-feathered dove, horned and Ouvea parakeets, the New Caledonian crow. The vivarium holds eleven reptile species, eight of them endemic, including the crested and Leach's giant geckos.

Mammals are few and mostly introduced, apart from two flying-fox species. A children's mini-farm opened in 2005, and the botanical side preserves dry sclerophyll forest and maquis minier, of which more than 60 per cent of species are endemic. About 80,000 people visit each year.