Today, July 14, marks two key dates for biodiversity conservation: World Chimpanzee Day and International Shark Awareness DayAlthough they inhabit worlds as different as the jungle and the ocean, both species share a common threat: human activity, which puts their survival and the balance of ecosystems at risk.
In this context, the BIOPARC of Fuengirola, Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium, Together with BIOPARC Foundation, remind us that the accelerated loss of biological diversity is an emergency that involves all people and demands collective responsibility. With an innovative model that combines animal welfare, environmental education, and preservation of both in situ , the ex situThese conservation parks work to protect these iconic and endangered species and to generate real commitment and change in society.
Chimpanzees: Our closest relatives in critical danger
July 14 is World Chimpanzee Day to commemorate Jane Goodall's arrival at Gombe National Park (Tanzania) in 1960. Since then, the western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), classified as “critically endangered” by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), has become a symbol of the urgency of defending wildlife.
The BIOPARC centers in Valencia and Fuengirola are home to the largest group of Verus monkeys and the only scientifically controlled breeding group recognized in Spain by the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums). They actively participate in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for this subspecies. Furthermore, the BIOPARC Foundation partially funds the Jane Goodall Institute's reforestation and agroforestry sustainability project in the habitat of these primates in Kédougou (Senegal), thus strengthening their long-term survival.
This commitment is reflected in real stories of rescue and preservation, such as Julieta, exploited for years as a tourist attraction and now part of a stable group at BIOPARC Fuengirola; or Kika, also recovered from a circus and taken in at the same park. Equally noteworthy is Ekon, born five months ago at BIOPARC Valencia and undergoing complicated specialized care to save his life, who is now finally joining his family after a moving reunion with his mother. Alongside him, 18-month-old Cala continues to grow, while six-year-old Djibril symbolizes the success of the collaboration between animal welfare professionals at BIOPARC Fuengirola and Valencia after being adopted by another female.
Sharks: Essential and misunderstood parts of the ocean
International Shark Awareness Day, also observed on July 14, seeks to recognize the value of these predators as guarantors of ocean health, despite their negative image. Each year, more than 100 million sharks are caught worldwide due to overfishing, the shark fin trade, and bycatch, seriously threatening their survival and the stability of marine ecosystems.
The BIOPARC Aquarium in Gijón has positioned itself as a national benchmark in the dissemination and conservation of elasmobranchs, a group that includes sharks and rays. Its facilities house emblematic species such as the bull shark, grey shark, zebra shark, bamboo shark, and strangler catshark, among others. But its work goes beyond simply observing them in recreations of the marine environment: through educational programs and activities, it promotes active conservation efforts and raises social awareness.
In June of this year, coinciding with World Oceans Day, the Gijón aquarium team reintroduced juvenile dogfish bred on its premises into the sea, a gesture of high symbolic and scientific value that underscores the viability of conservation programs applied to the natural environment.
A firm and transversal commitment
The mission of BIOPARC goes beyond bringing the beauty of habitats and wild species, both the most iconic and the most unknown, closer to society. Its naturalized spaces and immersive experiences foster empathy and environmental awareness among the public, strengthening the emotional connection with endangered wildlife. Through the BIOPARC Foundation, rescue projects, international cooperation programs, and collaborations with scientific institutions are channeled to achieve a tangible and lasting impact on the conservation of key species.
The BIOPARC Foundation emphasizes that nature cannot wait, and that every action and every gesture counts to ensure the survival of such iconic species as chimpanzees and sharks, and thus the balance of the planet we share.
On this July 14th, BIOPARC Fuengirola, BIOPARC Valencia, and the BIOPARC Gijón Aquarium are calling on citizens to reflect, inform themselves, and act. Protecting the most vulnerable species also means protecting humanity.
