Zoo report » Valencia Bioparc

02-11-2008

Agreed, bioparc is a refreshing new zoo on the European landscape, good to see them bringing in unusual species as the spot necked otter, drill, klipspringer and the proposed duikers species too.

I agree the primate enclosure look a little bare but the park has only been open for a year, give them time, maybe a shade screen could be suspended between the rocks above the enclosure or even camouflaged netting, but i think that wouldn't happen, aesthetics and all that.

02-11-2008

Why are the people responsible for allowing movement of primates not held responsible? Surely it is these people who could ensure that primates are provided with a suitable level of enrichment.

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Stuart R Webster
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

02-11-2008

This is an interesting thread as it shows the danger of leaping to conclusions and making pronouncements based on some photos. We all criticise the anti-zoo lobby when they are quick to make judgements when they do not have all the facts, but here we are doing the same thing. "Zooman" is clearly an interested and intelligent observer, and yet here he is leading a lynch-mob against those who have sent animals to a zoo which, as far as I can tell, he hasn't even visited. An earlier poster described Fuengirola Zoo as terrible; I would wholly disagree: it's possibly got too many animals squeezed in to a small area, but those animals look to be in superb condition, and are doing very well there. I am pretty sure that Valencia will develop into a superb zoo, and i am equally sure that it will have teething problems which it will need to overcome. But having not yet been there, I won't be calling for the head of the director to be put on a pole outside the entrance!

03-11-2008

We have to agree that we totally disagree on this topic. I have been in Fuengirola and most enclosures are awfully inadequate and/or too small. That the animals look well-cared for and healthy doesn`t change that; actually I expect from EVERY zoo in Europe that they animals are kept healthy, that has nothing to do with enclosure size or quality. I have not been in Valencia yet but just a few days ago I met a friend who was there recently and showed me a ton more pics then those posted here, we discussed the issue lengthly, and my opinion of this zoo and especially the primate enclosures has not changed at all. Pictures not always say everything but they can say a lot.

03-11-2008

Okay call me old fashioned butt why cant we "I won't be calling for the head of the director to be put on a pole outside the entrance!"

Would still be interested to hear from people on my origional question of the people responsible for the placement of primates.

__________________
Stuart R Webster
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

04-11-2008

For anybody with good experience of Primate(or any other zoo) enclosures, good photographs of enclosures in zoos not actually visited, will be mostly sufficient to draw accurate conclusions about these enclosures.

If I see photos of Howletts Gorilla cages, or Apenheul's wooded island, they show exactly what you will see if you visit the place, apart from maybe the actual size of the enclosure. So from the good photos of Valencia enclosures I have seen I know pretty much what I would see if I was to make an actual visit and so I can draw adequate conclusions from them.

In Valencia's case,its fairly obvious that the Primate enclosures have been designed with an 'open aspect' making them very attractive for viewers, but at the expense of good(complex)climbing facilities or overhead cover for the primates themselves. If that had been the aim, they would have been designed very differently at the inception, and I wouldn't expect much to change either- even a sympathetic director or management may not be free to make alterations or go against the design policy of the organisation. I fear the enclosures will remain as they are, that is, mainly 'rock & grass' and with a rather 'DisneyKingdom' flavour to them.

12-11-2008

I have one question, the EAZA standars policy not are the same for ALL members in ALL countries? i think the response is yes...but I don´t know it with total exactitude.

12-11-2008

Well l did not need a lynching mob or a letter writing campaign!

Report on Gorilla enclosure.

Opened in July 2008 allot of trees have been planted in and around enclosure. To help enclose the space for the gorillas. In Valencia these will grow quickly but not overnight. They have also seen to include a water play area!

The enclosure itself is allot larger than many gorilla exhibits. I am aware that it’s not about size butt enrichment. But size does count ;]

There off exhibit areas of 12 interconnected holding areas are all enclosed.

Many other European and American collections confine there collections indoors throughout a big part of the year due to poor weather. Valencia’s beautiful climate makes it possible for all animals to be outdoors all day long nearly every day.

Progressively adding more plants as well as other animal species over the coming months will continue to provide the all animals in the gorilla enclosure with interesting social challenges and opportunities.

My research into Valencia Bioparc , leads me to believe that this zoo is laying the foundations as all new zoos must. To setting standards that other zoos will aspire too.

Sooty mangabey
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We all criticise the anti-zoo lobby when they are quick to make judgements when they do not have all the facts, but here we are doing the same thing. "Zooman" is clearly an interested and intelligent observer, and yet here he is leading a lynch-mob against those who have sent animals to a zoo which, as far as I can tell, he hasn't even visited. Quote

You were right Sooty at time of posting. Now inspired by my passion for gorillas and using my resources. I can say l was wrong in my assessment of the standards of Bioparc Valencia. But l would do it all again and probably will. Just love the journey gorillas take me on.

Yassa
Quote Pictures not always say everything but they can say a lot. Quote

Pictures do show allot. It would seem that pictures of a new exhibit are open to interpretation and certainly fall way short of looking at all the factors of what make a good enclosure.

Snowleopard
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“but to see rock hyrax apparently free a few feet from my head” Quote
This quote comes to mind. Describing an enclosure. When after further inspection it became apparent that the rock hyraxes are in an appallingly small space.
We are all usually just seeing and commenting on our experience. When the bigger picture may show us we are completely wrong.

I personally value the opportunity to share the journey with like minded people.

__________________
Stuart R Webster
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

12-11-2008

Well written Zooman! Your comment in regards to the weather in Valencia is appropriate, as too many zoos of the world lock their animals indoors whenever the sun disappears. That's one of the many reasons why the San Diego Zoo is so amazing, partly because practically every single exhibit is open to the elements and the climate is just about perfect in southern California.

04-09-2009

Does anyone here have the "key statistics" on the Valencia Bioparc?
That is: (a) Number of Species (b) Number of Specimens
(c) Size -- hectacres (d) Annual Attendance

Thanks!!