Ekon's progress at 15 weeks old is very favorable thanks to the intensive care protocol, and he is already responding to the "call" for bottle feedings. This intervention marks the final stage of direct human custody, with continued care and feeding. Always bonded with his chimpanzee family and using techniques to foster his instincts, the little one is now familiarizing himself with the outdoor facilities before they open to the public, allowing him to enjoy the spring sunshine. The BIOPARC is home to the largest group of western chimpanzees in Spain, which are critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.
ekon, which means strength, was the name chosen for The chimpanzee born at BIOPARC Valencia who is now 15 weeks old. And strength takes on great meaning in this case because this little one symbolizes the strength of the hope for its subspecies Pan troglodytes verus, critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List; and also because it represents the efforts of many people to save him in extremely difficult conditions. The difficulties his mother Eva experienced in raising him forced the technical team to intervene, which It involved activating a protocol to feed and provide all the necessary care, avoiding humanization. and maintaining contact with his mother and the rest of the group.
Video: Ekon, the chimpanzee born at BIOPARC Valencia, successfully continues the final phase of care with human contact.
This is how the baby chimpanzee evolves.
From the first moment, ekon He remains continuously in the chimpanzee facilities with the sounds and smells of his peers, always under the assistance of primate ethology specialists who facilitate their contact and maintain the bond, with which he can interact with the chimpanzees. aim of ensuring their maximum well-being and that he can return to his mother as soon as possibleThe various stages of his development are progressing very satisfactorily, and the final stage of direct human care is now being successfully concluded. During this time, his development in all biological aspects has been encouraged, in addition to familiarizing him with the different areas of the chimpanzee facility.
With the arrival of spring and pleasant temperatures, Exits to the outside area were added, both for their knowledge and to take advantage of the benefits of the sun on an animal of such a young age. Undoubtedly, the perseverance of the staff in meticulously following the bottle feeding schedules, with guards every day and every night, holding him constantly so that he felt the warmth of a living being, stimulating all his senses and exercising him to strengthen his muscles; and all of this avoiding the human and emulating the behavior of a chimpanzee.
In the current procedure, the little one has become accustomed to the “call” of the animal care team to come himself to take the bottle, a method that will be used to extend their nutrition as long as necessary until final “weaning”In a species where social bonds are so important, in parallel with these actions, the family group has continued each cycle normally, so it is hoped that the final step of delivering the baby to the mother can be taken soon. It is important to remember that every decision is vital and They are wild and not domesticated animals, so uncertainty and risk in the face of events that may occur is inevitable.
Ex situ and in situ conservation of chimpanzees.
The Valencia "family" is made up of the male Moreno, five females (Malin and Py and the sisters Eva, Natalia and Noelia), Djibril and Cala, aged 6 and 1 respectively, and Ekon. Together with Fuengirola, the BIOPARC is home to the largest group of this chimpanzee subspecies in Spain and is very actively involved in the conservation of the species. European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) EEP conservation programme which aims to have a "reserve" population that ensures its survival. Similarly, the role of the BIOPARC Foundation that, in this case, partially finances part of the reforestation and Agroforestry sustainability program in the habitat of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Kédougou (Senegal) of the Jane Goodall Institute, conservation project in situ of this seriously endangered species.
