Valencia goes wild with newest attraction

Lions, pigmy hippopotami and lemurs are some of the newest attractions awaiting visitors to Valencia, following the opening of Bioparc Valencia (bioparcvalencia.es).

Occupying 80,000 square metres in the dried-up Turia riverbed, the new animal park recreates different African landscapes and ecosystems and is home to more than 4000 animals from 250 species.

Bioparc Valencia is not only an exciting new attraction, but an important conservation and education project which aims to protect endangered animal species and raise visitors’ awareness and appreciation of nature.

In order to minimise any impact on the environment, all the artificial lakes and rivers in the park use rainwater which is treated and heated with solar panels to suit the different needs of each animal species. Visitors can feel close to the animals without disturbing them thanks to the use of well camouflaged natural barriers (a concept known as “zoo-immersion”).

Bioparc Valencia currently offers visitors the opportunity to experience three different African eco-systems:

- African savannah: acacia trees and grassland are home to giraffes, zebras, rhinos and impalas amongst other herbivores, whereas herds of African elephants roam through forests of baobabs. Visitors can also experience life underground in the savannah and learn about species like the ant-eater aardvark.

- Equatorial Africa: a “bai” or clearing surrounded by equatorial forest is the meeting place for herds of buffalos and bongos, closely watched by leopards. Visitors can also observe the fascinating behaviour of various species of primates or watch pigmy hippopotami bathe in the river.

- Madagascar: separated from the African continent, the island of Madagascar has a very distinct ecosystem with many endemic species such as lemurs, which visitors to Bioparc will be able to observe close-by.

The park will expand later this year with the recreation of the Kitum Cave – a cave big enough to host a whole herd of elephants as well as bats and other creatures.

Bioparc Valencia is open daily from 10am to 6pm midweek and to 7pm weekends (up to 9pm in the summer months). Tickets cost 20 euros (£15) for adults and 15 euros (£11) for children. Group and school visits can also be organised as well as guided tours in different languages.

For more information on Bioparc Valencia go to Bioparcvalencia.es. For information on Valencia, visit Comunitatvalenciana.com.