Crau Locust – Life SOS Crau Locust

In the Crau steppe (Bouches-du-Rhône) live the largest locusts in Europe: the Crau locusts, endemic to this unique ecosystem. Discovered in 1923, they have since lost 90% of their territory and are in critical danger of extinction.
The European Union is investing in this species by creating a 5-year Life programme (2021-2025) to safeguard them. The objective: to save the Crau locusts by increasing their population in the wild, but also by making the species known to the general public and raising awareness of its conservation.
This ” Life SOS Criquet de Crau ” programme is coordinated by the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels PACA and brings together various partners: the Bouches-du-Rhône Chamber of Agriculture, the citadel of Besançon, etc.
The program has 4 objectives:
– Expand the surface area of terrestrial habitats
– Raise awareness and inform
– Improving captive breeding for
Reintroduction
– Reduce predation threats

The commitment of the La Barben animal park to this project is not only financial: we are also actors. Thanks to our climate similar to the locust’s living environment, we were chosen to host a breeding station for Crau locusts, with a view to reintroduction. In addition, the educational team is setting up various events to make the species and its habitat known to the general public and schoolchildren.

To introduce our young visitors (from 8 years old) to this insect, we offer a free treasure hunt “In search of Mr. and Mrs. Crau locusts”, to be done during your visit… Don’t hesitate to ask for the questionnaire at the park’s reception!

You can follow the news of this program on the website or the Facebook page.