Oasis of the Animals, San Sebastiano da Po
Oasis of the Animals, San Sebastiano da Po (L'Oasi degli Animali) is a unique wildlife park located on the hills with the same name, in the province of Turin, in the north of Italy. The first inhabitants of the park appeared here in 1993, and the oasis was opened for tourists only in 1997. The area of the park is about 160 thousand square meters. Animals that reside on its territory:
- mammals (foxes, deer, llamas, red lynx, raccoons, monkeys, etc);
- birds (eagles, parrots, owls...);
- reptiles (turtles, snakes, etc).
History of the Oasis of the Animals
In 1993, Italian professor Dario Garabello moved to the village to be closer to nature. With time, the estate of the biologist started growing. More and more animals had fond their home here. Also the number of people wishing to visit the unique home of the professor has increased.
Since 1997, the Oasis of the Animals had started functioning as a full-fledged park. In 2001, it received recognition from the Italian Scientific Committee CITS. Currently, the park contains an extensive collection of exotic and local animals that live in an environment similar to natural living conditions. How animals get into the park:
- Employees of the park breed animals that are endangered inside the walls of the oasis.
- Also animals that have been confiscated and taken under the care of the oasis by the State Forest Corps are accepted in the park.
- The park is carrying out active operations to save exotic animals that cannot be held in captivity.
- Also babies who were separated from their mother are nursed here, and then they are returned to their natural habitat.
The recreation area, a café and ample parking space is situated inside the park.
How to get there
For those arriving from Turin: from the city follow the direction to San Mauro, then continue to Casale, at the junction to Casalborgone turn right and follow the signs to Casalborgone.
From Asti: follow the state road leading to Casalborgone. Drive through Casalborgone and at the end of the village turn right towards the signpost of L'Oasi degli Animali.
Coordinates: 45.147747 7.957400.
Opening hours: all year round from 10:00 until sunset.
