Bioparc Fuengirola has incorporated new live corals from Bioparc Aquarium of Gijón, in an operation carried out under strict controls of CITES and EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums). These specimens will become part of the saltwater aquarium area, where the park recreates the beauty of marine coral reefs with scientific rigor and aesthetic sensitivity.
This transfer aims to promote coral regeneration and enrich the facility's ecosystem, where visitors can discover the amazing life hidden beneath the sea's surface. Although many people are unaware, corals are not plants or rocks, but animals. They are made up of tiny organisms called polyps, which live in colonies and build their calcium carbonate skeletons, giving rise to the spectacular structures we know as reefs.
“More than twenty different species of coral have arrived to become part of our marine ecosystem. These include, among others, acroporas, true architects of the reef, and soft corals such as xenias and zoanthus, which add color and movement to the ecosystem. Each species plays a key role in the health of the reef, creating refuge for fish and filtering nutrients. Their conservation allows us to directly study and protect marine biodiversity.”", highlights Eduardo Aras, head of the Aquarium team at BIOPARC Fuengirola.
Corals are true engineers of the ocean
These living beings create habitats where thousands of species of fish and invertebrates thrive, and act as natural barriers that protect coastlines from erosion. However, their delicate balance is threatened by global warming, ocean acidification, and pollution. Therefore, their care and controlled reproduction in specialized centers is essential to ensure their survival.
One of the most fascinating facts about these animals is that, despite their apparent immobility, they actively feed: at night, they extend their tiny tentacles to capture plankton and other particles floating in the water. Furthermore, many corals maintain a symbiotic relationship with microalgae called zooxanthellae, which provide them with energy through photosynthesis and give them their intense colors.
The new expansion of Bioparc Fuengirola has allowed the Malaga park to become a small coral bank, where it can learn what corals need to survive and contribute, in the future, to the regeneration of damaged reefs in the oceans. "The most important thing remains the conservation of the natural habitat: no matter how many corals we reproduce in our facilities, If the seas continue to suffer from rising temperatures, pollution or other threats, these organisms would also disappear. "That's why our work combines reproduction with the promotion of sustainability and the protection of marine ecosystems, teaching society about the importance of conserving reefs and the biodiversity they support."
With this addition, Bioparc Fuengirola strengthens its commitment to environmental education and the dissemination of knowledge about aquatic ecosystems, offering the public the opportunity to understand the value and fragility of these organisms, which are essential to the health of the planet.
