Julio, the male giraffe of the Valencian park group, was transferred in 2007 on the recommendation of the international conservation program for this seriously endangered species and included in the IUCN Red List.
In BIOPARC Valencia it will always remain the memory of Julio's impressive bearing in his tours through the area that recreates the savanna. A beautiful and renowned multi-species enclosure where, with the permission of the lion that watched him from his watchtower, he was the king. This male of the Baringo giraffe subspecies (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) was a wonderful representative of the tallest land animal that exists and it was impressive to contemplate “face to face” its nearly 6 meters of height.
The leisurely walk, with the different types of antelope and birds at his feet, his courtship of the females and the tenderness with his young, made him a very unique animal and appreciated by the entire animal care team that during all these years. has provided maximum well-being and that he is very affected.
At an age of 18, considered advanced, its numerous offspring continue its legacy of giraffe preservation in different European parks, as some subpopulations have lost 95% of individuals in the last 30 years.
Julio's death occurred at the age of 18, which is considered an advanced age, taking into account that life expectancy in a controlled environment is between 20-27 and in the wild with a range of 10-15 years.
He came to BIOPARC Valencia in 2007 from Aalborg Zoo (Denmark) with the aim of forming a stable breeding group and undertaking a leading role in the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) of this beautiful subspecies of giraffe included in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List that is seriously threatened with extinction. Giraffe populations are declining, with some subspecies having lost up to 95% of their individuals in the last three decades.. Thanks to the alert launched by the conservation world, with in situ actions such as those carried out by the BIOPARC Foundation, together with the ex situ actions undertaken, there are currently 429 Baringo giraffes in European parks. The legacy that Julio leaves In this sense he has been fundamental and due to his significant paternity, seven of his progeny giraffes have been integrated into other controlled breeding groups in different European parks. One of their daughters, Africa, born in 2011, remains in BIOPARC with the female Zora..
Just a few days after the enormous joy that the birth of a second elephantFrom BIOPARC we want to share this sad news and from the professionalism of the park staff it is assumed that the loss of an animal is part of the cycle of life. But without a doubt, the affection, attention and dedication given to Julio and the thousands of animals housed in the park are the result of a staff with a high degree of responsibility and vocation for a job well done. Likewise, this death will be very felt among the people who visit BIOPARC and for an entire generation of young people who have grown up admiring the presence of one of their favorite animals and learning to value the need to protect them.
