The success of gorilla conservation actions is motivating a slow but exciting recovery of the largest of all primates. The breeding groups of the BIOPARC of Fuengirola and Valencia, with 15 individuals in total and the births of the first Andalusian and Valencian gorillas, have a prominent role in the European project that aims to guarantee the survival of the species. And the BIOPARC Foundation supports the fight against deforestation and poaching of this critically endangered species to prevent it from disappearing from its native habitats.
22th September 2023.- 56 years ago a brave, passionate and visionary woman, Dian Fossey, founded the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda, where he lived with gorillas for nearly 20 years. In his honor, the September 24th commemorates the World Gorilla Day with the aim of continuing his legacy of raising awareness about the importance of protect and promote its conservation. Fossey was cruelly murdered for her stubborn fight, but with her book "Gorillas in the Mist" and the subsequent biopic starring Sigourney Weaber, managed to share that unconditional love for the beauty of nature and, especially, awaken interest in this giant of the great apes. Today I could watch with hope as the mountain gorilla gradually recovers thanks to international conservation efforts.
Following the reference of this commitment to the protection of threatened species, in the BIOPARC of Fuengirola and Valencia established, for the first time, gorilla groups in Andalusia in 2004 and in Valencia in 2007, in order to contribute to the survival of this critically endangered species. Within the European program that coordinates its controlled reproduction, The good news began with the birth of the first gorillas. The positive contribution of the BIOPARC continues these years to house, with 15 individuals, the largest group of gorillas in Spain. Contemplate natural behavior of these primates, their games and interactions, in an environment that guarantees their well-being by faithfully recreating their habitats of origin, is a unique opportunity to encourage society towards its protection. BIOPARCs represent the new concept of animal parks and were born with the purpose of bring nature closer to cities, from the lush forests to the seabed at the Gijón Aquarium.
And if the BIOPARC manage to transport visitors to the idyllic jungles that Dian Fossey fell in love with, from la BIOPARC Foundation it acts right there, in the heart of Africa. In this case, the focus has been placed on an area of special interest due to its invaluable natural wealth, as it is considered a “hot spot” of biodiversity. He Ebo Forest Research Project focuses his work on this jewel of Cameroon, a virgin forest that was discovered just 21 years ago and is home to a group of tremendously endangered gorillas. The value of the wood from its forests and fertile lands aroused economic interest that would inevitably cause its destruction. With the force of reason, the BIOPARC Foundation, as the sole representative of Spain, joined a very important international mobilization that managed to stop this terrible and devastating action. A victory that also opens up hope to maintain the momentum for the preservation of our planet.
They are currently cataloged two species of gorillas divided into two subspecies each. He western gorilla (gorilla gorilla), with the cross river gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) And the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), subspecies to which the BIOPARC group of Fuengirola and Valencia belongs. And the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) which includes Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) and to eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei grauri).The scientific community is in full debate about the possibility of adding a third subspecies which would include the population of Bwindi mountain gorilla.
