The savanna at BIOPARC Valencia was filled with excitement as a blesbok calf was born, witnessing its first moments of life in the wild. The team responsible for its well-being is carefully monitoring the mother and preparing the calf for its integration with the other animals. This third birth this year of this antelope, which was saved from extinction, reinforces the park's success in the international conservation program, as it is home to the second largest group of this species in Europe. This calf joins other animals that can also be seen, such as elephants, chimpanzees, and rhinos.
The contractions began, and with each one, it became clear what was to come; first the legs, followed by the snout and the head, until the birth was complete with the little blesbok's body next to its mother. Like a “live documentary”This is how the people who were there lived. at BIOPARC Valencia this magical moment which in the case of these antelopes is even more impressive because, immediately, the female grooms and encourages the young to stand up. Authentic wild nature where, faced with the danger of a predator, the instinct for survival is vital.
Birth of a blesbok in public view
Aware of the advanced stage of pregnancyThe protocol was applied to ensure the female remained in a delimited area of the outer enclosure which guarantees their peace of mind and where the veterinary team can intervene. But it wasn't necessary; they simply observed and confirmed the perfect development of the entire process, from the expulsion of the placenta to the kid's clumsy first steps, until it began to nurse. Moments of emotion Visitors from various backgrounds participated in the event, which they will always remember, because They managed to record some beautiful images which they have shared. Since then, the BIOPARC staff in charge of their care have been providing them with the utmost well-being and monitoring their excellent development. They are enjoying the outdoor enclosure that facilitates their integration, and, to maintain the natural course of things, it will still be a few days before the newborn has its first check-up and can be sexed.
Third blesbok birth at BIOPARC Valencia in 2026
This is the third birth of the summer which, coincidentally, have taken place on the 1st of June, July and now September. BIOPARC Valencia is a benchmark in conservation of the blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi), attending to 2 adult males and 6 adult females, and the three from this year, two of them males. This success translates into forming the second most important group in Europe within the international endangered species program (EEP) which seeks to ensure its survival.
The BIOPARC Foundation and in-situ conservation
This emblematic African antelope is a model of the importance of preventative conservation actions because It was virtually exterminated in the 19th century when barely 2.000 animals remained.Commitment and responsibility, along with the application of professional and scientific criteria, are the path to hope for halting biodiversity loss and preventing species extinction. In this area, the BIOPARC centers in Valencia and Fuengirola, and the Gijón Aquarium, focus on ex-situ actions and support in-situ interventions. BIOPARC FoundationIn this case, with the Big Life Foundation in the savanna of the Great Amboseli National Park (Kenya and Tanzania).
BIOPARC's shared goal is to transfer the commitment to nature to mobilize towards its protectionThe chance to admire the young, some of them from iconic species like elephants, chimpanzees, or rhinoceroses, touches the heart and is, without a doubt, the best way to fall in love with this wild beauty.
