A few weeks ago, Bioparc Fuengirola announced the opening of its new and latest expansion, which recreates the jungles of Central and South America. A new area inhabited by some of the most representative threatened species in the area. Sloths, birds, fish and small primates can be seen in this new space, where they will now coexist with the largest otters in the world: the giant otter, also known as the 'river wolf'.
Umi and Bruno, that is the name of the female and male of this species that now also lives in Bioparc Fuengirola. From the Madrid and Leipzig zoos, parks that are part of the European giant otter conservation program coordinated by EAZA. These young specimens, which will reach thirty kilos, have one of the largest facilities in the new expansion of the Malaga animal park, an area of 270 square meters that has all the necessary resources that guarantee the well-being of these animals, which also recreates the thick American jungle, and rivers and waterfalls among the ruins of an ancient sunken temple.
An animal with thirty different vocalizations, one of the species with the largest number in the world
The particularities of this large mammal native to South America, specifically the Amazon basin, are many, but its physique and vocal registers make it especially curious. “Giant otters have a wide variety of sounds, they can have up to thirty-three vocalizations, which makes them one of the most vocal species in the world. In addition, some physical peculiarities are notable that facilitate its adaptation to the aquatic environment: completely webbed legs and a very flat tail, together with a way of moving similar to that of seals," explains Jesús Recuero, technical director and veterinarian at Bioparc. Fuengirola.
In the last 25 years, its population has decreased by 50 percent. It is estimated that, if this continues, this will reduce again in the coming years
Its almost two meters in length and its charismatic behavior have not prevented it from becoming one of the most endangered species in South America. And the destruction and exploitation of habitat throughout the distribution area of the giant otter threatens its extinction. Institutions such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicate that phenomena such as the felling of trees and this degradation of their environment have been able to cause a population decline of more than 50% in the last 25 years and, according to Current trends are suspected to lead to a future reduction of more than 50% in population size over the next 25 years. This same institution in its “Red List” classifies the giant otter as “in danger of extinction”, with a wild population that does not exceed 7.000 specimens.
The Amazon rainforest is estimated to shrink by 40% by 2030. This could be enough to cause a sharp decline in total population numbers., as previously remote watersheds are now accessible, further exposing giant otters to the dangers that lie ahead.
Bioparc Fuengirola is an animal park based on respect for nature and the preservation of its species; a reference at the European level. In it, it is possible to enjoy a tour of the biodiversity of places as remote as Madagascar, Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indo-Pacific and, now as a novelty, the jungles of Central and South America following the footprints of the first around the world carried out by Elcano and the Victoria ship. At Bioparc Fuengirola, the entire team works to preserve the species it houses, participating in European conservation programs, coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), with which to guarantee the reproduction of species in danger of extinction. But along with it, As a 21st century zoo, the Education and Research work it carries out is also essential.
