Bioparc Fuengirola's commitment to protecting endangered species continues to bear fruit. The park has announced that its giant Galapagos tortoises, named Hera and Athena, are developing eggs, a significant step towards the conservation of this emblematic species in danger of extinction.
The news represents a step forward in global efforts to preserve giant tortoises, whose population has suffered a drastic decline due to the destruction of their habitat, the introduction of invasive species and historical hunting. This reproduction process, considered complex in captivity, is a hopeful sign for the species. Following the arrival in 2024 of Hermes, the male of the group that inhabits the park, the team of caretakers worked to successfully adapt him to the facility and form a group with the two females. This news confirms this.
The Herpetology and Veterinary team at Bioparc Fuengirola is carrying out an exhaustive follow-up of the eggs, monitoring the health of the females and the environmental conditions to ensure the best possible development. If everything progresses as expected, hatching could occur in the coming months, marking an unprecedented milestone in Spain.
Interesting facts about the incubation process: adaptability to climatic conditions
In the fascinating world of turtles, the incubation period for their eggs varies between 6 and 8 months, depending on the temperature of the environment surrounding them. But the magic doesn't end there, as this same temperature plays a crucial role in the sex of the offspring: if the nest temperature exceeds 29°C, most will be female, while cooler temperatures will give rise to males.
The amazing thing is that in a single laying of eggs there can be a difference of up to a week between the birth of the first and the last turtle, as if each one had its own biological clock. This process demonstrates how nature adjusts, with astonishing precision, the development of these creatures depending on factors as simple but determining as the climate.
BIOPARC Fuengirola works on the conservation of the subspecies Chelonoidis niger since 2013
All subspecies of giant tortoises are threatened, but some of them, such as the Chelonoidis niger, is already extinct in the wild. They were the subspecies of Floreana Island, in the Galapagos archipelago. For this reason, The work carried out by conservation centers such as BIOPARC Fuengirola is essential with the mission of reproducing them to guarantee a possible reintroduction into their natural environment.
Until the arrival of this male, the Malaga animal park housed two females, both 29 years old. Despite their age, they are still very young because Their life expectancy is well over 100 years., and there are some known specimens that have surpassed this age. They are 100% herbivorous and very easy to handle and train, something that their caretakers work on every day to ensure their well-being and allow the veterinary team to carry out the necessary checks, such as blood tests or ultrasounds.
Bioparc Fuengirola thus strengthens its position as a benchmark in the conservation of endangered species, raising public awareness about the importance of protecting the planet's biodiversity.
