At the ripe old age of 18, Inés has displayed the leopard's impressive blend of beauty and ferocity since her arrival at the wildlife conservation park in 2007. With her partner, Negombo, with whom she has had several cubs, they have contributed to the success of the international conservation program for this charismatic feline, which was massacred last century for hunting and its coveted fur, and whose population has declined by 30% in the last 20 years. The animal care team is deeply saddened by the loss, but proud to have provided every care to ensure its well-being until the very end.
This 2025 has begun as a year to remember great achievements shared between the animals and the technical group in charge of their care, with the hopeful birth of the chimpanzee and the optimal development of the offspring of this primate and other species in serious danger of extinction such as gorillas and elephants. But along with these joys, sometimes they must facing difficult moments like death And even with the certainty of having done everything possible to provide maximum well-being, the feeling of sadness is impossible to avoid.
On this occasion, BIOPARC Valencia wants to report the death of leopard Inés, an emblematic animal, beloved by both the park staff and those who have admired its beautiful demeanor over the years. A few weeks ago, the veterinary team noticed a limp in its hind legs, although during routine checkups all its organs were in good condition. It was after its death, during a necropsy, that a spinal injury was observed. a common problem due to their already geriatric age which caused compression of some nerves in the caudal part of his body and caused his limp.
Video: Leopard Inés dies at 18.
To their 18 years And very close to turning 19, Inés had reached an age very close to the maximum recorded for animals that remain under human care and much higher than the 10-12 years that this species' life expectancy in its habitat represents. Inés joined BIOPARC Valencia at the end of 2007, a few months before the park opened to the public, from Burgers' Zoo Arnhem, Netherlands. From that moment on, he was able to enjoy an environment that recreates the jungle and that he shared with the black panther Mamba (melanistic leopard) and with the Negombo male with whom he was a couple and has contributed to the success of the International Preservation Program (EEP) of the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya). The puppies born in Valencia They are already part of other groups that, under scientific criteria, aim to guarantee the survival of this endangered species.
The leopards.
Populations of leopards are declining drastically, with some of the threatening factors being the disappearance of their usual prey, the fragmentation and transformation of their habitat into farmland, and hunting. Included in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List and globally hhave decreased by 30% in the last 23 years, disappearing in 26 countries where it previously had a presence. In fact, during In the early 60s, 50.000 leopard skins were traded annually in East Africa. to satisfy the trade demand for their coveted fur.
The majestic leopards at BIOPARC Valencia.
At BIOPARC Valencia, we will continue to be able to contemplate the majestic leopard, a species that exemplifies the beauty and ferocity of threatened wild nature. The conservation community advocates for education and mobilization of society towards environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable development. global biodiversity conservation strategy (One Plan Approach) and interventionist actions in their habitat and controlled breeding in animal parks to offer a hopeful future to the impressive leopard.
