Bioparc Fuengirola celebrates a milestone in the conservation of endangered species with the selection of a female Vietnamese pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) born in its facilities to be part of the group of specimens that will be reintroduced into their natural habitat in Vietnam. This action is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), reaffirming the commitment of modern zoos to the conservation of biodiversity.
The Edwards' pheasant, a species endemic to Vietnam, was declared extinct in the wild almost twenty years ago. Thanks to conservation and breeding efforts in specialized centers such as BIOPARC Fuengirola, a viable population has been maintained in conservation centers that Now you can contribute to the restoration of the species in its original ecosystem.
“Through the conservation programme for this species, a series of individuals belonging to the EAZA EPP have been selected. These specimens will spend a quarantine period at Tierpark Berlin and this centre will be responsible for their transfer to their habitat of origin: Vietnam,” says Rosa Martínez, a veterinarian at Bioparc Fuengirola.
This achievement underlines the importance of zoos in protecting critically endangered species, ensuring not only the survival of these animals, but also their return to the wild when conditions allow. The participation of BIOPARC Fuengirola and the BIOPARC Foundation in this project reinforces their commitment to conservation and their work in international species recovery programs.
“This is just the beginning of a big step for this species. The easy part, so to speak, has been their reproduction in our park and their transfer will also be easy. The difficult part, on the other hand, will be for the individuals selected to reproduce in Vietnam to produce offspring that are capable of surviving the various threats that they still face in their natural environment and that caused their extinction. They are not becoming extinct because they are weak, but because of the excessive hunting of these birds among the Vietnamese population. In fact, the last specimens of these pheasants seen were in a market.”
The last specimen seen in the wild in Vietnam was more than twenty years ago. The fact that there are no records of a new sighting in its natural habitat for so long has led to it being classified as a 'Critically Endangered' (CR) species., a category reserved only for the most endangered species in the world, although it is true that, taking into account the latest sighting data in the natural environment, this classification should de be modified to EW (Extint in the Wild).
This situation of complete absence of records suggests that the species is extinct in the wild., which is why the work carried out by animal parks such as BIOPARC Fuengirola is essential to conserve and protect these emblematic birds.
The development of this project, in collaboration with different entities such as Viet Nature, the World Pheasant Association, the zoological parks belonging to the EAZA, some private breeders, as well as the Government of Vietnam itself, highlights the very important current role of animal conservation parks such as BIOPARC, in order to guarantee the continuity of a healthy and genetically diverse population of Edwards' pheasants that will allow a reintroduction of this species in its original natural environment.
Since receiving the first pair of Edwards' pheasants in 2001, BIOPARC Fuengirola has worked in coordination with dozens of European centres belonging to the EAZA to ensure their survival. This species is very sensitive to changes in its habitat. Most of the forests where they lived were destroyed during the Vietnam War. This is one of the main reasons for their disappearance, in addition to hunting and illegal trafficking of these animals.
The risk posed by the disappearance of its natural environment means that centres such as BIOPARC Fuengirola are developing and participating in programmes focused on the reproduction of Edwards' pheasant and, through the BIOPARC Foundation, in projects to restore its original habitat.
