The positive development of the bottle-fed male has facilitated the integration of several young antelopes into the herd. The Thomson's gazelle is listed on the IUCN Red List, and this birth is part of an international conservation program in which BIOPARC Valencia participates, housing the largest group of this species in Spain.
The evolution of Thomson's gazelle breeding
The professionalism and experience acquired over these years by the BIOPARC staff allowed for the rapid activation of the protocol for caring for the last Thomson's gazelle calf (Eudorcas thomsonii), given the difficulties she had in breastfeeding sufficiently. Bottle-fedThe evolution has been very positive in these first weeks in which the kid has remained isolated to ensure its well-being. Overcoming the most critical periodThe time has come to begin the adaptation with three gazelles born in May, with the goal of learning the behavior typical of its speciesmoving to share a specially equipped indoor area.
BIOPARC Valencia is home to the largest group in Spain
These actions ex situ They originate within European conservation programs for these threatened species and are fundamental to obtain reserve populations that guarantee their survival. Thomson's gazelle is in the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature), so these successes are a source of hope for people committed to wildlife protection. This distinctive antelope can only be seen in two parks in our country, the Oasys Animal Reserve in Almería and BIOPARC Valencia, which houses nine animals, being the largest group and becoming the most important preservation center in Spain.
The veterinary staff has added the corresponding identification tags, in addition to carrying out constant check-ups that include weighing to adjust nutrition. Meanwhile, the animal care team specializing in herbivores maintains the individualized monitoring and, upon detecting the teething, it has weaning has begun by introducing alfalfa and feed and reducing the breastfeeding twice a dayThe stabilization of the following steps will enable its full integration into the herd (made up of one male, four females and the four offspring) and the access to the outer enclosure of the savanna.
The recreation of this beautiful African landscape is one of the most impressive panoramas at BIOPARC Valencia for visitors, as it offers the opportunity to observe the natural behavior of animals in a multi-species area. Thomson's gazelle along with giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi), impalas (Aepyceros melampus), blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi), water antelopes (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus), Ostriches (Struthio camelusand various birds such as African jabirus (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) or spurred geese (Plectropterus gambensisAll of this under the watchful eye of the Lion pack (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) from his rocky vantage point on the Kopje.
Thomson's gazelle population declined by up to 70% in 20 years
In the approach of BIOPARC as “leisure with a cause” This is essential approach to the environment to raise awareness and sensitivity on the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. IUCN data indicate that in just over 20 years (from the late 70s to the early 2000s), Thomson's gazelle population declined by 60-70%, continuing the decline and settling around 145.000 animals in the last record of 2018.
