In the lush jungles of New Guinea, there is a reptile as agile as it is surprising: the emerald monitor (Varanus prasinus), an arboreal lizard that lives almost exclusively in treetops. From birth, the young separate from the adults and begin a completely independent life, moving between branches with the help of their prehensile tail and their bright green skin, which provides them with perfect camouflage. This unique behavior is also present today at Bioparc Fuengirola, where The park celebrates the birth of two cubs of this extraordinary species during the first week of May 2025. This event represents a significant success in the conservation efforts of this reptile species, renowned for its beauty and uniqueness.
The incubation process, which lasted approximately five months, was meticulously supervised by the park's Herpetology team.
During this period, the eggs' condition was monitored daily, both externally and internally, and humidity and temperature levels were adjusted to simulate the natural conditions of their habitat. Milagros Robledo, Head of Herpetology at Bioparc Fuengirola, emphasizes the importance of replicating natural environmental conditions during incubation: "Throughout the incubation process, we provide continuous care. Months of care, during which, halfway through the process, we have to make environmental changes that simulate the change from wet to dry season, just as they do in their natural habitats during incubation."
This is not the park's first achievement in breeding emerald monitor lizards. In 2015, Bioparc Fuengirola successfully hatched this species for the first time in Spain, establishing itself as a benchmark in reptile conservation.
They are capable of solving basic problems when it comes to finding food and capturing their prey, usually insects.
In addition to their conservation value, this species is fascinating for their behavior, as they possess surprising intelligence, capable of solving basic problems when it comes to finding food and capturing their prey, usually insects. Emerald monitors are arboreal reptiles, meaning they spend most of their lives in the treetops. Their bright green color not only gives them their name but also acts as effective camouflage among dense vegetation, helping them go unnoticed by potential predators.
The emerald monitor, despite being listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, faces significant threats, including habitat loss due to deforestation and the illegal trade in exotic species, which are the main reasons for its declining population. These factors underscore the importance of conservation and captive breeding programs.
One of the most emotional and relevant aspects of this birth is the story of the father of the babies.
One of the most moving and significant aspects of this birth is the story of the father of the young. This specimen was seized by the relevant authorities after falling victim to illegal wildlife trafficking, one of the main threats to global biodiversity. It was subsequently proposed for foster care at Bioparc Fuengirola, where it received all the necessary care and began a rehabilitation process. Thanks to the work of the park's technical team and an environment designed to foster its well-being, this monitor lizard was able to successfully integrate with other individuals of its species. Today, its descendants represent not only hope for the conservation of the emerald monitor lizard, but also a symbol of the value of recovering seized animals.
These births reinforce Bioparc Fuengirola's commitment to the conservation of endangered species and environmental education, offering hope for the future of emerald monitor lizards and other endangered species.
