The beloved hippopotamus, originally from the old Valencia Zoo, is the oldest of her species in Spain, and park staff celebrated her 44th birthday with a large cake, which she enjoyed with her son Gori and the young female Serena, in a gesture of animal welfare. Rigas inaugurated BIOPARC's impressive aquarium, which offers the only underwater view in Spain of these giants of the African rivers. The arrival of this "old lady" coincides with a burst of activity at the park, which brings hope with the arrival of offspring of endangered species such as elephants, chimpanzees, and rhinos.
Anniversaries are always a cause for joy, and when it involves such a beloved and emblematic animal, the celebration becomes a milestone. Rigas, the matriarch of the hippos at BIOPARC Valencia, He turns 44 today, making him the oldest person in SpainTo commemorate this special day, the biology department in charge of its care has prepared a big party with a giant cake adapted to their diet, made with fruits, vegetables and greens such as pumpkin, watermelon, celery, leeks, various lettuces, bananas and topped with turnip and beetroot ice cream and the enormous numbers to remember her admirable age.
Environmental enrichment at BIOPARC Valencia for Rigas the hippopotamus's birthday
This action is part of the environmental enrichment techniques of the park, designed to stimulate the natural behaviors of each species, awaken their curiosity, encourage play and exploration, and ensure their physical and cognitive well-being.
The only underwater view of hippos in Spain
The numerous visitors were able to witness this unique "feast," which included a very funny moment when Rigas tried to swallow a whole watermelon and played with it, moving it around the large aquarium. All of this took place in an unparalleled setting, as BIOPARC Valencia offers the Spain's only venue with underwater viewing of the so-called "river horses".
This impressive space It allows you to watch, as if it were a live documentary, these colossi weighing over two tons interacting and moving underwater with amazing agility among large schools of cichlid fish.
Many people have expressed their satisfaction at meeting the "old lady" Rigas and, at the same time, having the opportunity to see various offspring that contribute hope for the conservation of critically endangered species such as chimpanzees, elephants, or rhinoceroses.
The story of Rigas is deeply linked to the history of the city itself and to the paradigm shift in animal welfare.She was born on July 17, 1982 at the Zoo Aquarium in Madrid and at just three years old she was transferred to Valencia, becoming one of the most esteemed residents of the old Viveros Zoo.
The big leap in their quality of life came in October 2008, when it inaugurated the modern facilities of BIOPARC along with his inseparable friend Raff, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 40. Together they enjoyed the faithful recreation of the great African wetlands in the area of the Kitum caveecosystem that he now shares with his youngest son Gori, 6 years old, and Serena, 5 years old, from the Basel Zoo (Switzerland).
The BIOPARC Foundation and the conservation of hippos
The imposing presence of common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) alerts us to a worrying reality, as it is estimated that There are only between 115.000 and 130.000 specimens left in Africa due to habitat loss and, especially, poaching for their meat and the ivory of their large canines.
La BIOPARC Foundation collaborate in its protection in situ through the Big Life Foundation, in Greater Amboseli National Park (Kenya and Tanzania). For its part, BIOPARC Valencia houses and actively participates in international conservation programs ex situ of the only two species of hippopotamus that exist on our planet: the common hippopotamus and the very little known pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), in serious danger of extinction.
