BIOPARC Valencia has issued a warning regarding the precarious situation of lions and elephants, two of the most representative species of the African continent. Lion populations have experienced a 30% decline in the last two decades, while elephant numbers have dropped by 95% in a century. In observance of World Lion Day on August 10th and World Elephant Day on Wednesday the 12th, the BIOPARC Foundation urges the protection of these species by advocating for the 'One Plan Approach' strategy promoted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The lion, considered the 'king' of the wild, is in a vulnerable state. At BIOPARC Valencia, the Angolan lion group (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) consists of Lubango, a 10-year-old male, and the females Tata (15 years old) and Shanga (11 years old). These animals inhabit an enclosure that replicates 'Kopjes,' typical rock formations from which they survey their surroundings. Visitors can observe them coexisting with giraffes, ostriches, and other species, showcasing the park's innovative zooinmersion design. Despite their iconic image, it is estimated that only between 22,000 and 25,000 individuals remain, placing them on the IUCN Red List.
The elephant, the largest land animal and a symbol of threatened megafauna, also requires urgent attention. BIOPARC Valencia's herd, comprising an imposing male, six females, and two young individuals born at the center, Makena and Malik, participates in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) to prevent their disappearance. Habitat loss and poaching for ivory remain the primary threats, with the population drastically reduced to an estimated 350,000 individuals.
BIOPARC is committed to the global preservation of biodiversity, working with both populations under human care and those in the wild. In addition to ex-situ programs, the BIOPARC Foundation supports in-situ projects, such as the one conducted with the Big Life Foundation in Amboseli National Park, Kenya and Tanzania, to protect vital ecosystems and ensure the survival of species like elephants, lions, giraffes, and rhinos.
