Jean-Michel Aulas Proposes Holographic Zoo Replacements in Lyon Mayoral Bid

Lyon, France – Former Olympique Lyonnais CEO Jean-Michel Aulas, now a candidate for mayor of Lyon, has proposed replacing live animals at the Parc de la Tête d’Or zoo with holographic projections. This commitment aims to secure the support of the Parti animaliste (Animalist Party) for his mayoral campaign.

Aulas’ Plan for the Tête d’Or Park

The Parc de la Tête d’Or, a historic zoo established in the 19th century, is at the center of debate as Lyon approaches its municipal elections on March 15 and 22. Aulas, running with the support of right- and center-leaning parties, intends to evaluate the well-being of each animal species and potentially relocate some, consulting with scientists to guide these decisions.

To maintain the zoo’s educational value, Aulas suggests utilizing holograms and virtual reality to showcase wildlife “rather than keeping them locked up.” This project is anticipated to be economically “modest,” according to Jean-Arnaud Niepceron, a member of Aulas’s campaign team who led discussions with the Animalist Party.

Political Alignments and Alternative Proposals

The Animalist Party, a ten-year-old transpartisan movement advocating for animal rights, has chosen to back Aulas in the Lyon mayoral race, diverging from their support for incumbent environmentalist mayor Grégory Doucet.

Doucet, along with Anaïs Belouassa-Cherifi of the LFI list, has pledged to the Projet Animaux Zoopolis (PAZ) association to halt animal breeding and acquisitions at the zoo, aiming to transform it into a sanctuary for endangered species.

Aulas’ Broader Political Ambitions

Jean-Michel Aulas, born on March 22, 1949, is a French businessman and the founder of Cegid. He served as president of Olympique Lyonnais from 1987 to 2023 and is currently the President of the Ligue féminine de football professionnel, assuming office on July 1, 2024. He also holds the position of Vice President of the French Football Federation since December 16, 2023. Aulas is also a candidate in the 2026 Lyon municipal election.