On the 45th anniversary of Rodríguez de la Fuente's death, the park's animal care team has prepared a very special commemoration for the gorilla Félix, named in honor of the great Spanish conservationist. The unusual celebration, packed with surprises, represents a welfare initiative for the BIOPARC group of western lowland gorillas, critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Births in species at high risk of extinction are always a joy for all animal lovers. They are also an achievement that underlines the great work that animal care staff do in the international conservation programs ex situ in which he participates BIOPARC Valencia and that BIOPARC Foundation complete with its on-the-ground collaborations in key biodiversity areas. One of the most representative examples of this effort is Felix, the youngest of the gorilla group, turned 6 today. and has been the center of attention of the emotional celebration experienced in the park.
Felix, tribute to Rodriguez de la Fuente.
Felix is a source of hope for the conservation community. that fights to protect our planet's greatest treasure, biodiversity. As he did Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, an unforgettable role model for generations who, thanks to his legacy, learned to love nature. The baby gorilla is named in his honor, and this year, marking the 45th anniversary of his death, BIOPARC has paid a heartfelt tribute. The team specializing in primates has transformed his enclosure into a authentic “party” with eye-catching garlands, surprise packages, and an exquisite fruit and vegetable cake with carrots, celery, lettuce, pineapple, and strawberries—Félix's favorites.
These elements arouse the curiosity of each member of the family, from the silverback Mambie, the females Ali, Fossey and Nalani and their offspring Ebo, Virunga, Pepe and the “birthday boy”. In this environmental enrichment action Another unique family, the white-crowned mangabey (Cercocebus lunulatus). It is truly exceptional to be able to recreate this natural coexistence of two species in serious danger of extinction according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Video: Special environmental enrichment to celebrate Felix's 6th anniversary.
As is usual on these spring days, from early in the morning many people, tourists from different origins and school groups, come to BIOPARC as a benchmark for leisure “with a cause” committed to the environment and already considered one of the best animal parks in the world. In this sense, the large audience was able to witness this unique event, which seeks to raise awareness and mobilize people toward the need to protect nature.
It is worth highlighting the efforts of the BIOPARC of Valencia and Fuengirola for the preservation of the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), hosting the largest group in Spain and thus having a prominent role in the conservation program (EEP) that is about ensure its survival under scientific criteria with these “reserve” populations.
The BIOPARC Foundation and the protection of gorillas.
La BIOPARC Foundation promotes the Ebo Forest Research Project in Cameroon, a paradigm of projects focused on restoring forests, taking into account that these great apes have lost 80% of their global population in the last 60 years, mainly due to poaching, either for their meat, called bushmeat, or for trafficking their offspring.
Another serious risk is the transmission of diseases from humans to animals, such as Ebola, which is estimated to have caused the death of one in three infected individuals in the early 2000s. Forest clearing, mining, human expansion, and the loss of available food and water due to climate change are devastating the forests where gorillas live.
