The Valencian park's primatology group has continued the process by returning the four-month-old to his mother, Eva. The beginning of this penultimate stage of the infant's integration is very delicate and involves a complex process to continue bottle-feeding. The progress is very positive, as Ekon responds independently to the call for feedings, and the mother facilitates the process. The western chimpanzee is listed as critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List, and the Fuengirola and Valencia Bioparcs are firmly committed to its preservation, hosting the largest group in Spain.

At BIOPARC Valencia you live moments of intense emotionThe baby chimpanzee being hand-raised by primatology specialists has been returned to her mother, Eva. This female has demonstrated her complete trust in the human care process that must continue, and has immediately resumed the maternal bond.

Returning Ekon to his mother is still the penultimate phase of a long road that involves great risk and complex and difficult management to ensure the maximum well-being of the infant, the mother, and the entire group of chimpanzees. Now mother and child are an independent unit, and the procedure entails that the four-month-old needs to continue feeding from bottles for at least two more months, so the infant must come when called by a human, and the mother must facilitate this. Without a doubt, the precedent of Eva's “adoption” of Djibril in 2019 (who was not even his son), with a similar protocol, has been decisive in even being able to accelerate events on this occasion.

The most important thing from the beginning was avoid any human imprint, keeping the continuous contact of the chimpanzee with its group and that the time of physical separation was kept to a minimum. Both this stage and the final stage of full integration into the chimpanzee family are extremely delicate, but Eva's calmness with specialists and her high rank within the chimpanzee family allow for cautious optimism.

The transcendental aspect of all this effort is the why. And the answer is the fight for saving species at serious risk of disappearing, such as the western chimpanzee, from extinction (Pan troglodytes verus) critically endangered according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This same institution supports the conservation strategy known as One Plan Approach (single plan approach), a comprehensive approach that integrates all actions for the conservation of a threatened species, both in its original habitat and beyond.

The BIOPARCs were born with a vision of conservation and, following expert recommendations, the parks of Fuengirola and Valencia host the largest group of this subspecies of chimpanzee within the international program (EEP) that aims to guarantee its survival through scientifically controlled breeding.

El western chimpanzee It is considered a critically endangered species. Between 1990 and 2014, its global population declined by 80%, and if this continues, it is estimated that its population in Africa will be completely extinct by 2060. Chimpanzees kept outside their native range in coordinated breeding programs under human care in zoos constitute a "reserve" population of increasing importance in case the decline of wild populations continues. Each individual, as Ekon is very valuable and represents hope for his species.

Ekon, the baby chimpanzee, represents hope for his species.

In parallel, the BIOPARC Foundation leads in situ preservation by partially funding part of the Agroforestry reforestation and sustainability program in the chimpanzee habitat (Pan troglodytes verus) in Kédougou (Senegal) of the Jane Goodall Institute.

The “family” of chimpanzees from BIOPARC Valencia.

The staff has demonstrated its professionalism in these complicated practices and is perfectly aware of the difficulties that still need to be overcome, but it is shown optimistic about the positive evolution of Ekon, increasingly stronger and more agile to get close to taking the six daily bottles. At the same time, it is essential to observe and monitor the "family" to ensure its well-being and cohesion: the male Moreno, the other four females (Malin and Py and Eva's sisters, Natalia and Noelia), the little Djibril and Cala 6 and 1 year old respectively.