After months of hard work, the entire group of chimpanzees at the Valencian park can now be seen in the outdoor enclosure. with the youngsters of different ages. The animal care team thus completes the long adaptation process for the little one, who had to be bottle-fed to save his life. Ekon's birth brings hope to the international conservation program for this critically endangered species, of which the BIOPARC parks in Valencia and Fuengirola house the most important population in Spain. This success in the preservation of great primates has recently focused attention on the western lowland gorilla at the Andalusian park, with an exciting live birth.
Last February, BIOPARC Valencia announced the joy of the birth of a chimpanzee along with the concern about the difficult task involved in its care. bottle-feeding to save his life Since her mother, Eva, did not produce enough milk, a whole protocol was activated, led by specialists in veterinary medicine, primatology, and animal welfare, to prevent human imprinting and maintain her instincts. This followed many months of patience and work. The objective has been achieved in the most satisfactory way.
The entire group of chimpanzees is now enjoying the outdoor facilities
This week Ekon has completed integration into his family And, furthermore, they are already in the outdoor enclosure sharing games with the other cubs in the area that recreates the jungle. This entire complicated process has been made possible thanks to the participation of the Valencian park in the international conservation program (EEP) for this species (Pan troglodytes verus) listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Scientific knowledge is fundamental to biodiversity defense strategiesd, especially in actions involving species such as great apes, due to their complexity and their extremely high risk of extinction. It is necessary to address it holistically, taking into account the well-being of the group and of each individual, with their particularities and different needs. The BIOPARC staff had already demonstrated their ability to face these challenges when, in 2019, they succeeded in getting Djibril, born in BIOPARC Fuengirola, outside “adopted” by the female Eva in ValenciaThese two animals have been instrumental in this new achievement.
Video: This is how Ekon's reintroduction process to the chimpanzee group has been
On the one hand, there was Eva's trust in the technical team, and on the other, the meeting of the two "brothers," which was the last and most complicated step. During these long months, the approach has been... progressive reintroduction into the groupThus, Ekon was reunited with his mother and later with his sister Cala. Each phase presented a challenge, but the plan proceeded as expected, and therefore, the process continued with his aunts (Natalia and Noelia), the other two females (Py and Malin), and his father, Moreno. The moving scenes of each encounter have touched the hearts of many people. the need to protect these species.
A western lowland gorilla is born in BIOPARC Fuengirola
The commitment to great apes at BIOPARC is total, with the on-site work of the Foundation and the centers in Fuengirola and Valencia. They house the Spain's largest groups of chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorillaAnd under strict controlled breeding criteria, they are bringing hope with invaluable births. The most exciting and recent one took place at BIOPARC Fuengirola, when visitors to the park witnessed the completely natural birth of the gorilla Wefa. Impressive. images with innate behaviorFrom the extreme delicacy in caring for the "baby" to the importance of eating the placenta, which provides protein and energy in the first days of motherhood.
