With the arrival of summer and rising temperatures, Bioparc Fuengirola is launching one of the most striking and eagerly awaited measures of the summer season: personalized ice creams made specifically for each species.
Far from being a simple treat, these ice creams are part of an environmental enrichment plan designed by the park's technical team to stimulate the animals' senses and natural behaviors, while helping them cope with the high temperatures. Each recipe is carefully tailored to the dietary and biological needs of the different species: some contain fruit and natural juices, others include insects, meat, or even blood, depending on the preferences and nutritional requirements of each animal.
A new video shows some of the protagonists enjoying these ice creams: orangutans and chimpanzees entertain themselves by exploring and savoring their fruit blocks, small marmosets curiously manipulate their frozen surprises, lemurs take advantage of the cooler moments of the day to savor fruit combinations, and the stealthy leopard finds a stimulating way to cool off with meaty enrichments.
Although all the park's animals receive this type of adapted enrichment—from large mammals to birds, reptiles, and small primates—these scenes reflect how animal welfare is a daily priority at Bioparc Fuengirola, even during the most demanding months of the year. "The ice creams not only serve a refreshing function, but also stimulate the natural behavior of each species. They invite them to explore, play, solve challenges, and stay active, which is essential for their physical and emotional health," explains the park's care team.
These types of actions respond to an advanced conservation model that integrates science, ethics, and sensitivity, with the goal of guaranteeing each animal a full life, adapted to its natural needs and with the highest standards of well-being. Environmental enrichment. Studies have shown that animals regularly exposed to cognitive and sensory stimuli have better health, less stress, and a more active life. Bioparc Fuengirola has been implementing these species-specific strategies for years.
Visitors who come during the summer will be able to observe these enrichments in action and discover how small, everyday gestures—like an ice cream treat—can have a huge impact on the animals' lives. Each day offers unique and surprising scenes, from the marmosets playing to the majestic leopard savoring its reward.
