The arrival of a new heat wave in Spain, with temperatures that will once again far exceed 40ºC in many parts of the country in the coming days, has led BIOPARC Fuengirola to reinforce its special summer protocol for the care and well-being of the animals.
As every summer, the park's technical team adapts management routines to the weather conditions, intensifying measures during periods of extreme heat. Among these measures is the development of the well-known “wild ice creams”, Custom polo shirts designed specifically for different species that, in addition to helping cool them down, constitute a tool for fundamental environmental enrichment.
Far from being a simple refreshing treat, these ice creams are part of the daily animal welfare programs developed by the Zoology department. Each one is tailored to the nutritional, physiological, and behavioral needs of the species it is intended for, using ingredients commonly found in their diet. such as fruits, insects, vegetables, leaves, seeds or natural broths with meats, frozen in different formats to prolong the interaction.
This summer, the stars of these refreshing enrichment sessions have been the Sumatran tigers, the pygmy hippos, the river stags and the western lowland gorilla family, who have been able to explore, manipulate and enjoy these icy blocks while developing behaviors typical of their species.
In the case of big cats, the poles encourage exploration, manipulation, and problem-solving behaviors before accessing food. For gorillas, enrichment promotes foraging and interaction with different elements of the environment, while species such as pygmy hippos and potamots find in them an additional stimulus that increases their activity during the warmest hours of the day.
Much more than just fighting the heat
Environmental enrichment is one of the cornerstones of BIOPARC Fuengirola's animal welfare model. Its aim is to provide physical, sensory, social, cognitive, and nutritional stimuli that allow animals to express natural behaviors, promoting their activity and improving their quality of life.
During the summer, This work is complemented by other specific measures such as the modification of handling schedules, the increase of hydration points, showers or sprinklers in certain facilities, shade areas, permanent access to climate-controlled spaces when the species requires it and continuous monitoring by the zoology and veterinary team.
Each intervention is designed individually, taking into account the biology of each species, since not all respond the same way to high temperatures. Many of them come precisely from tropical regions where heat is part of their natural conditions, although extreme episodes require adapting the protocols to always guarantee the highest standards of welfare.
Conservation, well-being and outreach
These actions also allow visitors to see firsthand the work that the park's professionals do every day. Behind every enrichment activity lies a planning process involving keepers, veterinarians, and biologists, always with a common goal: to guarantee the well-being of the animals under human care and to promote natural behaviors that are essential for their development.
