Elephants stand as the largest and strongest land mammals. They may seem formidable, yet they face serious threats to their survival. The IUCN currently classifies their habitat as endangered, highlighting a stark decline in population. In the early 1800s, about 26 million African elephants roamed the continent. By 1900, the number had fallen to 10 million, and today only around 350,000 remain. This trajectory underscores a tragic reality of evolution and habitat loss that conservationists continue to fight against.
Bioparc Valencia has long contributed to elephant conservation through responsible breeding programs for endangered species (EPP), including the African elephant. The Valencia park plays a pivotal role by housing a small, carefully managed group, including a recently calved female, within its conservation initiatives.
The first African elephant birth in the Valencian Community
The birth of the first African elephant in the Valencian Community marks a milestone in global conservation efforts. This achievement reflects years of careful planning and ongoing collaboration by Bioparc’s technical team within international conservation programs for this species.
The newborn and its foster mother show positive signs of adaptation within a thoughtfully designed outdoor enclosure. The foster mother leads the care, nursing and guiding the calf, while determining where and how long the calf remains in different areas to support growth and learning.
Bioparc’s veterinary and welfare teams continue vigilant monitoring to ensure the calf’s health and the mother’s well-being, recognizing the ongoing fragility and developmental needs of such a young elephant.
Special €1 children’s tickets
To commemorate this milestone, Bioparc Valencia invites the community to participate in a special initiative. The park is offering €1 children’s tickets, with every euro supporting nature conservation through the Bioparc Foundation.
The offer applies to children aged 4 to 12 when purchasing a general ticket, including standard discounts and other reduced rates. Tickets must be bought through Bioparc’s official website at least one day prior to the visit, and the promotion applies to a limited number of child tickets per transaction.
In recent days, visitors have observed the young elephant following its mother, exploring the enclosure with curiosity and playing within the space designed to nurture development. This live, intimate view underscores the park’s mission to celebrate and safeguard biodiversity.
Experiencing this moment in a park celebrated for its naturalistic habitats offers an opportunity to raise awareness about the urgent biodiversity losses facing our planet. The event is more than a milestone; it’s a reminder of the importance of ongoing conservation work and public engagement in protecting wildlife.