The striped hyena is included in the IUCN Red List with a worrying trend due to the growing threat situation and the decrease in its population.

Some animal species have an execrable reputation and many people even consider them evil. Among them, the hyena It would rank No. 1 among carnivores. Characterized for years as “the bad guys in the movie"This is a humanized and completely false and unfair vision. From the responsibility and commitment of institutions like BIOPARC, once again we must value the essential paper of all species in the delicate balance of the trophic chain for the maintenance of biodiversity.

At a time of “urgency” due to environmental deterioration, it is necessary to take sides in order to contribute, with increasing force, to the protection of nature and the most endangered species. In this sense, BIOPARC has received a pair of a different species of hyena, the striped. Both come from France, the male, Max, 13 years old from Zooland-Park (La Teste) and the female Handy, about 2 years old, moved from La Haute Touche (Obterre). The goal is to create a breeding group within the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) that tries to guarantee the survival of this species that is increasingly in danger of extinction. The IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has drawn attention to this species of which a population less than 10.000 hyenas.

The pair has arrived as part of the international conservation program for this species in which BIOPARC participates to form a reproductive group and in Spain it can only be seen in two parks. 

They are currently in adaptation and acclimatization period, the team that ensures your well-being is taking all the precautions so that the result is a success. On the one hand, they must know and adapt to their new home and, on the other, they have to adapt to each other. Unlike other hyenas that form packs, the striped hyena lives in pairs. Right now They can now be seen in the outdoor area which recreates the savannah, during the mornings the male and female alternate, while in the afternoons the female spotted hyena Etana who, at a very advanced age of nearly 20 years, continues to enjoy the outdoor area.

Only two parks are home to striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) in Spain And as a curiosity, they can survive long periods without water and feed on the bones of corpses if there is no meat left, since their powerful jaw allows them to crush them easily, and they are even capable of breaking the shells of turtles. Smaller in size than the spotted hyena, they have long hair, which they can raise to appear 38% larger when they feel threatened.

The striped hyena, a new species in BIOPARC: both are in the period of adaptation to their new home and also mating with each other and can already be seen in the outdoor enclosure in the area that recreates the savannah.

In order to learn about this new species of BIOPARC, you can take advantage of the promotion “with a cause” to celebrate Makena's first birthday, the first elephant born in BIOPARC and in the Valencian Community. Until the end of November children's entrance (4-12 years) has a symbolic price of €1 which is intended for preserve nature through BIOPARC Foundation. This proposal is only available online and the process must be completed at least the day before the visit. To benefit from this promotion it is necessary to purchase a General ticket (also with the General discount, +65 or Reduced discount modalities).