The baby chimpanzee is a male and it has been necessary to act to feed him due to the problems that the mother has presented in these vital first moments.
Births are always a cause for joy, and especially when it comes to species at risk of extinction in a very short term, where Each individual is valuable in avoiding the tragic endBIOPARC Valencia has just witnessed this wonderful moment with the long-awaited birth of the chimpanzee Eva.
The park's technical team remained alert to apply the necessary protocols and in light of the worrying evolution and in coordination with the European program for the preservation of this species, It was essential to intervene to prevent his death. Primate welfare and ethology specialists have started a complicated operation to feed the young using bottles while maintaining contact with the family group.
The BIOPARCs are home to the largest group of western chimpanzees in Spain, which are seriously threatened, so their responsibility and commitment is crucial in the European programme to ensure their survival.
When a life is at stake, it is essential to have the necessary information and knowledge to act diligently and promptly. After giving birth, Eva showed total interest in the newborn but showed a lack of skill in its handling and, apparently, a lack of milk. After a reasonable time, it was decided to apply a light anesthesia to perform an examination where the perfect state of health of the baby was verified and that breastfeeding was not viable.
There reasons for hope because the professionalism of the staff that achieved the Successful experience of the Djibril case in 2021, who was hand-raised and later adopted by Eva, integrating perfectly into the family. On this occasion, the device has planned to minimize the time of the process and ensure the permanent link with its peers to restore the natural situation as soon as possible.
The responsibility that falls on nature conservation parks such as BIOPARC is enormous.. On the one hand, the fact that it houses the largest group of the subspecies in Spain Pan troglodytes verus, listed as critically endangered by the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Of the 4 subspecies of chimpanzees, the western one or "verus" sees a bleak future with around 35.000 individuals in fragmented and unconnected areas of which 80% survive outside protected areas with a very high process of deforestation and framed in conflicts that trigger great instability. In short, it is among the 25 species of The most endangered primates in the world, with 99% expected to disappear by 2060. With this perspective, it is essential to European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) EEP conservation programme which has the largest population of this species outside of Africa and which makes it possible effectively implement so-called conservation ex situ to obtain a “reserve” population which may become essential in the coming decades.
Our closest relative could disappear in 30 years and the latest scientific studies advocate the need to apply a global conservation strategy (One Plan Approach) with interventionist actions in its habitat and controlled breeding in animal parks.
Recent research such as that carried out by the CSIC and published by Nature or the recommendations of the IUCN itself They support a global strategy to address the loss of biodiversity and prevent the extinction of these species; an approach known as One Plan Approach which integrates controlled breeding action in animal parks and intervention in natural habitats. BIOPARC is positioned in this line, with a substantial role in the EEP and providing resources through the BIOPARC Foundation to protect the most vulnerable ecosystems in situ.
The veterinary and animal care team is constantly monitoring each step, combining know-how with a high level of dedication and dedication, and is therefore confident that the situation is stable in the first few days. In addition to the progress of the little one, the utmost vigilance is paid to the well-being of the entire group. formed by the male Moreno, five females (Malin and Py and the sisters Eva, Natalia and Noelia), Little Djibril and Cala, Noelia's daughter who just turned 1 year old.
