Oceans cover about 70% of the planet and stand as the planet’s largest biodiversity reservoir. They are also known as the lungs of the world, producing roughly half of the oxygen we breathe and absorbing about a quarter of human carbon dioxide emissions.
The United Nations recently agreed to ratify a new Global Ocean Agreement. This accord will cover nearly two-thirds of the ocean and establish a legal framework for creating vast marine protected areas to safeguard wildlife and share genetic resources.
A gazelle is born in Valencia, and only 200 specimens remain on the planet.
Water is a vital element of sustainable development. It supports population well-being, inclusive growth, and has a broad impact on life by influencing food safety, energy, health, and the atmosphere. World Water Day celebrations align with the start of the UN 2023 Water Conference, and this year is expected to advance commitments to water use and sanitation improvements. The conference offers a timely opportunity to seek solutions to the current water crisis.
An urban nature island
Community action is essential in meeting global challenges. Bioparc Valencia embraces a new concept of life—an urban nature island that blends nature, education, and leisure with a purpose. It was designed to bring nature closer to society and raise awareness about protecting it.
Situated in a city where a river meets the sea, Bioparc Valencia goes beyond a traditional animal park. The site’s aquatic environments mirror the routes of life, demonstrating why protecting these ecosystems matters.
Water serves as the core of its innovative design: it animates landscapes and supports animal welfare by offering water access, cooling pools, drinking sources, and playful interactions for the animals, just as they would have in the wild.
Rivers and lakes erase visual barriers at Bioparc Valencia, inviting visitors to observe animals up close and feel as though they are in their natural habitats. Water also drives an avant-garde zoo approach, dissolving artificial barriers and replacing them with natural elements. The same lakes and estuaries that animals use become integral parts of the habitats themselves.
Rivers unexpectedly connect recreated habitats—from savannas to tropical forests—through paths that traverse lush vegetation. Wetlands in the Valencian Community, represented in Bioparc, include large African lakes and rivers, and visitors can even imagine a voyage across the Indian Ocean to the exotic island of Madagascar.
Wetland recreation
Bioparc Valencia began with a focus on freshwater habitats in Africa. The park includes diverse ecosystems native to African wetlands and continental waters, highlighting the biological richness of these waters and linking them to the Valencian stream and wetland environment.
One habitat features Kitum Cave, descending about 200 meters into Mount Elgon in Kenya. Formed thousands of years ago by volcanic activity, elephants here search for essential mineral salts by digging with their tusks, illustrating a natural behavior shaped by the landscape.
Bioparc Valencia, located in Valencia, Spain, offers an underwater view of hippos, enabling visitors to witness a harmonious relationship among fish and other species in an endangered ecosystem.
In another memorable area, elephants bathe amid towering baobabs, creating an idyllic scene near a cascading waterfall that remains a favorite among guests.
Bioparc Valencia also features an area where art highlights the fragile world of amphibians. A colorful mural displays terrariums housing local species and several striking frogs, including the mantle frog and the blue poison frog. The display underscores the need to protect threatened amphibian species, a cause Bioparc supports through breeding collaborations with regional environmental authorities.
Birdlife within the wetlands is celebrated as well, with species such as the African spoonbill, pelican, and flamingo adding motion and color to the landscape.
Commitment to sustainability
Bioparc Valencia operates with a strong emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability. The park follows circular economy principles, aiming for maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact in its management practices.
It favors chemical-free water purification, employing ozone treatment and biological systems to curb algae and residue, thereby reducing chemical usage while maintaining clean, healthy habitats for the animals and visitors alike.
This spring, he’s going to Africa touring Bioparc Valencia
The spring season offers an ideal window to explore nearby treasures and enjoy Valencia’s climate. Bioparc is presented as a standout option for observing wildlife while traveling through landscapes inspired by Africa, all within the city limits of Valencia.
People from around the world have visited Bioparc and left positive impressions. The park’s appeal and the quality of experiences have helped position it among the top animal parks, earning local pride. During this season, extended hours allow longer visits as life returns to the park—vegetation blooms, animals are active, and young animals begin to explore. Bioparc is a take on leisure with a purpose, merging entertainment with conservation. It offers immersive recreations of iconic African habitats—savanna, forests, vast wetlands, and Madagascar’s unique landscapes—and invites guests to meet elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, and lesser-known species. Observing the interactions of baby gorillas and chimpanzees in family groups can be especially memorable, along with Makena, the first African elephant calf born in Valencia. Free daily events, including a Cycle of Life exhibition in an open-air amphitheater, provide real-time educational storytelling. The on-site restaurant with scenic views complements a full-day experience for nature lovers.