Valencia Bioparc, Modern zoological park in Valencia, Spain
Valencia Bioparc is a zoological park set in the former Turia riverbed in the northern part of the city, focused on African wildlife within recreated ecosystems. The grounds are divided into sections such as savannah, wetland and rainforest, where giraffes, lions, gorillas and crocodiles live in groups, separated by natural barriers of rock formations, water moats and dense planting.
The facility was created in 2008 to replace the old city zoo and designed around the principle of hiding barriers while keeping animals in social groupings. Over the following years, management expanded sections and introduced breeding programs for threatened species from Central and West Africa.
The name combines biology with the idea of a park, reflecting the aim to recreate ecosystems rather than display animals in enclosures. Visitors watch meerkats standing alert on mounds in the morning sun and hippos wallowing in shallow pools, while school groups take notes and families pause at underwater viewing windows.
The entrance sits beside the Jardines del Real, easily reached by city bus or metro, and visitors should plan around three hours for a full circuit. Early morning hours offer cooler temperatures and more active animals, while shaded paths and viewing points are spread throughout the grounds.
Large glass panels below waterline allow observation of hippos and crocodiles from an uncommon angle as they dive and glide through the water. The layout avoids mesh entirely, so visitors often do not immediately notice where one section ends and the next begins.
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