Thanks to this 2019 fundraiser, in situ conservation programs have been carried out both in numerous international biodiversity “hot spots” and in local projects to protect bats or Acoge Un Pajarito.
During the past year BIOPARC Valencia has contributed 80.000 euros to the BIOPARC Foundation from actions “with a cause”, designed and promoted with a responsible purpose and which also aim to raise awareness, mobilize and engage society in the necessary change of attitude towards coexistence in harmony with our planet. The +1 euro that each contributes annual pass B!; solidarity promotions such as the Anniversary or BIOdías; charitable activities such as the Can-rrera or the Carrera en Manada; or the Foundation's piggy bank located in the park, have made it possible to collaborate in campaigns in situ through the BIOPARC Foundation.
The contributions from the B! passes, the “with a cause” promotions such as the Anniversary or BIOdías, and the special actions such as the Bat night, the solidarity events and the park's piggy bank-funnel, have totaled 80.000 euros destined for the BIOPARC Foundation.
Understanding the preservation of biodiversity as a global need, the objectives of action include local and international projects. Among the first are welcome a little bird, which combines the protection of local bird fauna and a social component; waves initiatives to “save” and value bats, an emblematic species for Valencians and which is suffering a dangerous decline and risk of disappearing due to various factors such as the loss of habitat, the increase in the use of pesticides or the prejudices derived from its ignorance.
Other internationals such as Rhino Dog Squadof the organization Save the Rhino, and its “squadron” of dogs specially trained to detect and pursue poachers. The Twiga Tracker project for giraffes, the largest GPS satellite tracking initiative ever used in Africa. He Ebo Forest Research Project aimed at the protection of gorillas in the valuable forest of Cameroon. And the collaboration with Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in programs in Senegal, whose progress was presented at BIOPARC Valencia last November by Laia Dotras, Deputy Director of the IJG Spain.
Parallel BIOPARC participates in more than 40 international conservation programs ex situ, where in 2019 there have been arrivals, transfers and births such as: two duikers, a species that can only be seen in Spain in BIOPARC; four Mhorr gazelles, a species extinct in its habitat; or seriously endangered primates such as two drills, a white-capped mangabey and the gorilla Félix, which was named in honor of the well-known Spanish conservationist Rodríguez de la Fuente.
La BIOPARC Foundation with participation in conservation projects in situ and the performances ex situ of the group's parks, BIOPARC Fuengirola, BIOPARC Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium, are an example of this “global approach” strategy for protecting biodiversity.
