The Forêt de Rambouillet, just an hour from Paris, is famous for its unspoilt natural beauty and its many native animal species. But in recent years, a surprising phenomenon has caught the attention of visitors to the nature reserve: if you take a stroll through the forest, you may well come across a family of kangaroos!
Kangaroos just a stone’s throw from Paris!
Yes, you read that right. Kangaroos, a species native to Australia, roam freely in the French forest. But how on earth did they get there? To find out, we need to go back in time to the 1970s, when the director of Basel Zoo decided to give 7 kangaroos to one of his friends. The friend, who owned a zoo in the village of Émancé, was not a model of vigilance. Due to his negligence, the marsupials, neither counted nor declared, are reproducing en masse and easily escape from the reserve. And, incredibly, these kangaroos have adapted to their new environment and thrived in the Rambouillet forest.
It’s important to note that these kangaroos are not a native species in France and can cause considerable damage to the local environment by upsetting the ecological balance. They can also be a threat to other animal species present in the nature reserve. This is why the Forêt de Rambouillet authorities work closely with wildlife experts to monitor the kangaroo population and manage any potential environmental impacts.
Ultimately, free-roaming kangaroos in the Forêt de Rambouillet are a surprising phenomenon, but local authorities are working tirelessly to manage potential environmental impacts and protect animals and visitors alike. Next time you visit the Forêt de Rambouillet, be sure to take a look around for a glimpse of these incredible creatures at large.