Europe`s cold closes zoo outside Paris

Parc de Thoiry has been closed for 5 days, even though bears, hippos, tigers and zebras are happily prowling the 370-acre grounds.

Thoiry: A count who operates a zoological park on the grounds of his chateau outside Paris says some of his animals just can`t take the cold this winter.

Paul de la Panouse wasn`t surprised to see his ostriches and giraffes prefer the indoors, given where they come from. But even the elephant couldn`t take Europe`s brutal cold snap, despite its thick hide.

So Parc de Thoiry has been closed for five days, even though the bears, hippos, tigers and zebras couldn`t care less and are happily prowling the 370-acre (150 hectare) grounds, including its frozen lakes.
"Ice skating," he said, regarding his giraffes and ostriches, "it`s not for them."

Bureau Report