The biology team surprised the river horses with a huge, delicately decorated anniversary cake as part of environmental enrichment activities to promote their well-being. This unique celebration allows visitors to observe their behavior in the only underwater viewing enclosure for this species in Spain, while also highlighting their "vulnerable" status according to the IUCN Red List.
Underwater, enormous hippos weighing over two tons move with great agility among schools of fish. It's an image that could easily be from documentaries about the exotic Lakes Tanganyika and Malawi in Africa's Great Rift Valley, but it can be seen live at BIOPARC Valencia. The only place in Spain with underwater viewing of these unique mammals.
They are the historic Rigas, who comes from the old Viveros Zoo in Valencia; her youngest son, Gori, who was born six years ago today during the lockdown; and Serena, who comes from the Basel Zoo in Switzerland and just turned five earlier this month. Since both were born in May, their anniversaries have been combined into a special celebration.
Special environmental enrichment for hippos
The professional team has organized a party at the venue that recreates the impressive wetlands inside the Kitum caveThe birthday celebrants were surprised with a spectacular and colorful cake Decorated with animal drawings. Made with beetroot, potato, and pumpkin puree, the numbers 6 and 5 are also made of beetroot, and various decorative elements are made with lettuce, leek, carrot, and pepper. All of this is included in the Environmental enrichment plan to stimulate their natural behavior and promote their well-beingThe numerous visitors who have come by have seen the group enjoying the "feast" on the beach area, as well as diving to reach pieces of the tasty watermelon.
The common hippopotamus, an emblematic animal
The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibiuses), reaching between 1.500 and 3.000 kg, is the third largest land animal. Only surpassed by the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). BIOPARC Valencia, houses precisely this “top three” of “giants” of the planet. And right now they show the most tender side of that nature, with the cubs Makena and Malik and Kairu, respectively.
Despite its size and robust appearance, it is a semi-aquatic animal. In fact, the fact that the Greeks called it a "river horse" is no coincidence, since they spend most of their lives submerged to regulate their temperature and protect their sensitive skin from the intense sun.
Their care requires a high level of technical expertise and facilities adapted to the needs of these very special animals. At the Valencian park, staff work daily to ensure their maximum comfort and health in every way, from feeding them with specific diets and veterinary checkups to providing activities that promote both their physical activity and cognitive stimulation.
This moving celebration also serves to remind us of the precarious situation facing the common hippopotamus, categorized as “vulnerable” en the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red ListThis is mainly due to habitat loss and poaching. This situation has led to a progressive decline in their populations, which currently number between 115.000 and 130.000 animals, making the international preservation projects in which BIOPARC participates especially important.
BIOPARC Valencia is home to the only two species of hippopotamus that have survived and in both cases actively collaborates in their protection, forming part of the European Conservation Programmes (EEP) which, under scientific guidelines, aim to prevent their extinction.
The second is the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), practically unknown to most, but even more threatened. This fascinating animal can be seen in the jungle area, in a beautiful multi-species enclosure. It lives alongside the drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), the northern talapoin (Miopithecus ogouensis), the Nile goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) and the western sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii).
Saturday, May 23: Special activities to mark World Biodiversity Day 2026
El International Day of Biological Diversity (May 22) is an anniversary proclaimed by the United Nations, this year under the motto “Local action for a global impact”. A powerful idea is at its core: big changes start small. The success of this plan to prevent biodiversity loss depends on the strength of local actions and the commitment of communities, organizations, and governments working together.
BIOPARC Valencia joins in this important commemoration on Saturday 23 and a special programming of activities, at a relevant moment for the conservation of biodiversity where One million species of animals and plants are in danger of extinction.
