Life on Earth depends on healthy ecosystems, such as freshwater ecosystems. Wetlands, rivers, mangroves and aquifers are a fundamental part of the global water cycle: they supply, purify and protect resources.

Animals need it for their bodies to function, not only through the action of drinking but also through the food they eat and daily habits such as, for example, a simple bath. And this natural and vital resource plays a fundamental role in guaranteeing the well-being of the animals housed in BIOPARC Fuengirola.

The correct use of water is vital to regulate the body temperature of animals

As temperatures increase, BIOPARC Fuengirola works daily to guarantee the well-being of its residents. Although many of them like the heat, they have special protocols that ensure that the more than 200 different species it houses are at healthy and comfortable temperatures..

These hot days require good advance planning. Pay attention to the weather forecasts and Developing a plan for these high temperatures is essential to ensure that animals have enough shade and water on these days.

Extreme heat causes significant stress for all animals. And for this reason, in the implementation of these actions and management, the Zoology, Herpetology and Water teams of BIOPARC Fuengirola take into account the requirements of the species, ages of the animals, characteristics of the facilities, locations within them. , presence of shadows, need to carry out complementary enrichments or guarantee the quality of the water, among others.

The most important thing is that each of the animals that live in its tropical jungles has access to clean, fresh water twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Most of the facilities have estuaries, waterfalls, bathing areas or artificial beaches that can be accessed. Thanks to these resources, animals can access water if they need it. For example, although chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas are afraid of water, they have estuaries at their disposal to drink or play on the shore. Aquatic species such as crocodile, tomistoma or pygmy hippopotamus have large spaces of water in which they spend most of the day. And others who do not seem to be so friendly with this natural resource such as the Sumatran tigers, their facility has one of the most impressive water spaces in the park and where they enjoy baths and dips.

To these means is added control of water temperatures and the facilities of each of the animals making use, for example, of diffusers to provide them with refreshing water vapor, thus controlling both humidity and temperature. Like the interior spaces, which are kept ventilated and fresh.

When it comes to the well-being of animals residing in BIOPARC Fuengirola, temperature control during the summer months and food enrichments such as, for example, making ice cream is of utmost importance. The entire team works to find a balance between giving the animals the opportunity to enjoy the sun while also having options to cool off whenever they want.

A complete circuit of living estuaries for the enjoyment of animals

BIOPARC Fuengirola has a complete water circuit made up of authentic rivers and waterfalls. More than 2.200 cubic meters of totally drinkable fresh water, filtered mechanically and naturally, without any type of chemical product that prevents life in them. In these estuaries the animals, as noted before, enjoy bathing, they allow them to cool off in summer, hydrate themselves and, of course, they are essential for their life, as is the case of hippos, ducks or crocodiles, among others.

Furthermore, these living and oxygenated estuaries, through the numerous waterfalls that make up the circuit, assume a stimulating function for many species. By having hundreds of live fish, these favor the development of the instincts of other animals. And their well-being is a priority for the entire BIOPARC Fuengirola team.