A pair of Rüppell's vulture and another of hooded vulture, both critically endangered, are transferred from BIOPARC to Beauval Zoo in France as part of European breeding programs.
La biodiversity protection and of the most endangered species is one of the pillars of the BIOPARC actions. In this sense, we cooperate internationally with specialized centers within the framework of the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) participating very actively in the reproduction programs (EEP). This week a further step has been taken in these collaborations with the specific objective of protecting two cataloged species of African vultures critically endangered by IUCN. A pair of Rüppell's vultures (Rueppellii Gyps) and a pair of hooded vultures or sooty Egyptian vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) that inhabit BIOPARC Valencia have moved to the Beauval zoo (France) on loan player.
Conservationists warn of the risk of extinction of these “giants” of the air due to poisoning from the use of diclofenac and poaching.
African vultures are in danger of extinction and a few months ago Bird Life International warned that 6 of the 11 species that live on that continent are at risk of disappearing. The man action is behind the two main causes of its threat. The first was diclofenac poisoning and the second was poaching. Research, published by the Journal of Applied Ecology, confirms that the use of diclofenac (known anti-inflammatory) as a veterinary medicine could be responsible for the death of up to 6.000 griffon vultures in Spain, which is home to nearly 95% of the European population of the species. This medicine is used to treat local livestock and has been the cause of the extermination of vulture populations in Asia.
Once again, this situation highlights the need to understand conservation in its broadest sense and maintain the balance of biodiversity as the only guarantee for the future. The disappearance of vultures can cause a real catastrophe in the natural environment because, contrary to what many people believe, vultures They are animals that close the cycle of life in many habitats, since They are the great onescleaners". In fact, it is known that they can help stop the spread of diseases because they make rotting corpses disappear. Due to the acids in the vultures, they can metabolize anthrax spores that affect livestock and cause anthrax in humans.
There are 10 individuals of vulture species living in BIOPARC Valencia: hooded, palm, white-headed, white-backed and griffon. And we can learn more about them and the important role they play in nature in the educational exhibition “The Cycle of Life” that complements the “leisure with a cause” experience of visiting the park and shows us the majesty of these “giants.” " from air.
