This initiative, aimed at reintroducing the charismatic barn owl to the peri-urban area of Valencia, is part of an agreement with the Regional Ministry of the Environment for the conservation of native fauna in the Valencian Community. The pairs have laid eggs, which have already begun to hatch in the facility specially set up by the BIOPARC Foundation to promote the controlled breeding and optimal development of this species, which has been declared "Vulnerable" to extinction. Today, declared by the UN as World Wildlife Day, these initiatives take on even greater significance, and the heartwarming images have filled the entire BIOPARC Valencia team, dedicated to the well-being of the first two chicks, with joy.
Today marks the World Wildlife Day And the United Nations reminds us that human intervention in environmental matters is often associated with negative consequences, but this is not always the case, and Spain is an example of how to "do things right." The extraordinary recovery of Iberian lynx or bearded vulture They are a source of pride, and in this sense it is essential to highlight and publicize those situations in which, Based on strict scientific knowledge, the results are beneficial.The BIOPARC Foundation draws on these action strategies that emerged thanks to the work of advanced conservationists and that in the medium and long term are proving successful.
March 3rd, World Wildlife Day
BIOPARCs not only work on the conservation of the most exotic nature, but also strongly support the protection of our local biodiversityAmong the various programs undertaken in recent years in the Valencian Community with species such as the Iberian ribbed newt, European pond turtle or bat, last autumn a new step was taken to to promote the presence of the common owl (Tyto alba).
The park enabled some facilities specifically designed to accommodate up to five couples of this beautiful bird and begin controlled breeding under human care. The joy has been immense because in this first action the pairs have laid eggs that have already begun to hatch.
The goal of the conservation program is to reintroduce the barn owl (Tyto alba)
Professionalism in the process is paramountIn this case, the process is accompanied by audiovisual technology. The animals must not show signs of human imprinting, so the inspection is carried out using several cameras in each pair's enclosure to examine both the nest and the rest of the space. In this way, BIOPARC staff have been able to confirm that the parents are properly caring for the eggs and feeding the hatchlings.
Contact with people is completely limited and intervention is only for veterinary reasons.Thanks to the monitoring, images have been captured of the adorable chicks that will have to remain in these conditions of maximum control for approximately 30 days.
The barn owl is listed as “Vulnerable” to extinction in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Fauna Species
The barn owl is listed as “Vulnerable” to extinction in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Fauna Species, therefore The ultimate goal is reintroduction into peri-urban areas of Valenciaall within the framework of Agreement to recover native fauna constituted by the BIOPARC Foundation and the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, Territory and Recovery of the Valencian Government.
All these species fulfill a vital function in the balance of ecosystems And, in this specific case, in rodent pest control. It's worth noting that a single barn owl hunts around 1.000 rodents a year, so a pair with a single chick could feed on about 3.000 rodents annually.
La BIOPARC Foundation It carries out its conservation work by supporting the projects ex situ in the BIOPARCs of Fuengirola, Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium and also in their native habitats (in situ)with a global perspective of preserving these valuable ecosystems and the species in serious danger of extinction.
