Bioparc Valencia / Biopark Valencia
Bioparc Valencia is a zoo that opened in Valencia at the end of February 2008.
This innovative zoo, in which the barriers are practically invisible and the animals feel right at home, covers some 100,000 square metres and is located in the Parque de Cabecera within the former Turia Riverbed.
Bioparc’s main objective is to promote respect for animals and make the general public aware of importance of protecting the environment through a commitment to education and the preservation of the animals.
Leopards, lemurs, hyenas, lions, giraffes, gorillas, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, porcupines, ostriches, elephants, otters… all coexist in this zoological world, which offers moving experiences at every bend in the park at every minute of the day.
We can find: Reflections of Africa in Bioparc Valencia. Bioparc displays a range of African flora and fauna and the different habits in which they live together. However, Bioparc is not limited to Africa, since the plan is to expand it over the next few years by 20,000 metres in order to dedicate a portion of the zoo to Southeast Asia and South America flora and fauna.
Bioparc Valencia, the most modern and avant-garde zoo in Europe, opens its doors and invites you to know some of the most unique nature spaces around the world. Located at the Parque de Cabecera, the zoo takes up a
total surface of 80,000 square meters where almost 4,000 animals belonging to 250 different species live. Some of the animals come from the Valencia Zoo, whereas others have been donated to be reproduced by 15 different zoos in Spain, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Germany or the Czech Republic.
The new zoo follows the model of the so-called immersion zoos, in which natural habitats are reproduced down to the last detail so that visitors can enjoy that habitat with the utmost respect for the animals that
inhabit it. Bioparc Valencia was created with the goal of engaging visitors in the task of animal preservation, combined with the need to educate visitors in the need to preserve the original ecosystems inhabited by these animal species.
This feeling of immersion into the wild does not end there. Other zones are home to elephants, leopards, hippos, zebras, lions, hynenas – and they are often kept apart from visitors only by strategically-placed watering holes, rocks or trees. Safety is of course paramount, but the layout cleverly allows you to get as close to the animals as possible.
There is no effort spared to make this a comfortable home for the wildlife, keeping it as near possible to their natural habitats. It does not escape the visitors attention that this zoo does things differently – animals which live in the wild together, are put in the same groups at the zoo. You will see giraffes running alongside antelopes. You may even see a zebra push an ostrich into the water.
The Different Area Zones in Bioparc Valencia
Depending on which ecosystem we find ourselves in, we are able to see the different animals that live there.
In the African savannah, we’ll see zebras, impalas, blesbok, marabou storks, cranes, giraffes, lions, striped mongooses, exotic birds, African elephants, white rhinoceroses, etc… as well as the subterranean life that exists in anteaters dens and African termite nests.
In equatorial Africa, the primates are the main attractions — gorillas, mangabeys, monkeys, herds of bongos, forest buffalos, red river hogs, leopards, chimpanzees, drills, talapoins, pygmy hippopotamuses and sitatunga antelopes.
In Madagascar, we find seven different species of lemurs, including the highly-endangered grey bamboo lemur.
We can find the greatest variety of ecosystems and different habitats here, due to the highly varied vegetation. We can see the only re-creation in the world of the KITUM cave in equatorial Africa. In this
40 metre-plus cave, visitors will be able to observe through the crevices a herd of elephants grazing on a nearby plain. Outside the cave, the dense equatorial forest serves as shelter for different species of African birds.
Additionally, Bioparc Valencia has planned the reproduction in captivity of endangered species, while offering visitors an ample didactic experience that underlines the parks commitment to the protection of the environment.
Bioparc is strongly committed to sustainability and conservation; it will be recycling more than 95 percent of the water that it uses as well as generating energy to heat water using a large number of solar panels
throughout the zoo. Many of the species at the zoo are included in European conservation breeding programs, and primary objectives of Bioparc include educating and increasing awareness of visitors regarding care of and respect for the environment.
Bioparc Valencia Prices
Prices for Bioparc in 2011
Admission category Price*
Individual, adult 21,50 €
Individual, child 16,00 €
Individual, senior 16,50 €
Group, general 17,00 €
Group, child 11,00 €
Group, senior 14,00 €
Group, SEN 11,00 €
Group, Bioparc Visit 11,00 €
*Price per person.
Free admission for children under 4 years. Child: 4-12 years.
Bioparc Valencia Opening Times / Schedule
The ticket booths are open from 9:30 AM to one hour before closing at Bioparc Valencia.
The closing hours at Bioparc change during the year, depending on the day length.
Some animals may not be visible to the public at the end of the day because of weather or lighting conditions.
Visitors should plan on a visit lasting at least 4 hours.
The Bioparc is open 365 days a year and opening hours will be vary depending on the amount of sunlight at different times of the year.
There is free parking for 800 vehicles, as well as two restaurants and shops.
How to get to Piobarc Valencia
The Bioparc is located on the western side of Valencia.
BY FOOT:
A pleasant stroll through the gardens of the old Turia riverbed in the direction of Parque de Cabecera (Cabecera Park) leads to the entrance of BIOPARC VALENCIA.
BY BICYCLE:
The network of bicycle paths throughout the city of Valencia and through the old Turia riverbed permits easy access by bicycle. Racks for parking bicycles are available at BIOPARC VALENCIA.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THE CITY OF VALENCIA
Public Transport Bus – EMT: line numbers 7, 17, 29, 61, 81 and 95.
Metro: lines 3 and 5. Exit at the Nou d´Octubre stop, the nearest Metro station, approximately 10 minutes walking distance to BIOPARC VALENCIA.
BY CAR:
Access via Avenida Pío Baroja, Avenida Manuel de Falla and Puente Nueve de Octubre.
Parking is available at BIOPARC VALENCIA for private vehicles. The maximum price of parking for visitors (until 10hours) will be 5 €.
BY ROADWAY:
Highway A7 and highway N- 340: cross the Community of Valencia from north to south.
Highway A-3: from Madrid to Valencia.
National roadway 234: connects Valencia with Aragón, Castilla-León and the northern peninsula.
BY TRAIN:
From the North Train Station: After arrival at the North Train Station take EMT bus nr. 7.
