Maroparque
The entrance to the park
28°40′57″N 17°46′42″W / 28.68250°N 17.77833°W / 28.68250; -17.77833
Date opened2000
LocationBreña Alta, La Palma
No. of animals450
Websitehttp://maroparque.es/

Maroparque fundación is an animal rescue centre in Breña Alta, La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, in Spain. Opened in 2000, it houses around 450 animals. It gained over 250 extra animals during the 2021 volcanic eruption.

Layout and location

The rescue centre is located on the side of the El Galeon ravine[1] in Breña Alta, on the island of La Palma. It has been described as a vertical zoo, with walkways combining cobbled paths and wooden bridges, with walk-through aviaries. It also has a restaurant.[2] It has an area of around 7,000 square metres (75,000 sq ft),[3] with a forest-like environment[1] made with native vegetation.[4]

The centre was inaugurated in 2000,[5] and normally gains around 100 animals per year.[6] In 2021 they received animals affected by the 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption,[3] with over 250 extra animals arriving at the centre in the first month of the eruption.[7][8] The animals are expected to return to their owners where possible, with the centre keeping any unable to do so.[6]

It is named after the Martin Romera family, with 'MaRo' derived from the family name. It is a non-profit organisation.[5] The centre also has research and conservation programs, and does guided tours.[9] It received financial aid from the Cabildo de La Palma during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

Animals

Inside one of the aviaries

The centre contains over 450 animals,[11] often exotic species that have been rescued or seized by the authorities.[3] The animals include both native species for La Palma, and non-native species.[11]

The animals include birds, such as parrots, hens,[2] ostriches, and peacocks;[3] reptiles[2] such as Nile crocodiles and snakes;[3] and mammals, including albino kangaroos,[2] marmosets, porcupines, and monkeys[3] It also has an aquarium.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Maroparque: The Only Vertical Zoo in La Palma and the Canary Islands". Canary Islands Info. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Maroparque". Hello Canary Islands. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Home". maroparque.es. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Maroparque, zoológico en La Palma" (in Spanish). 4 July 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Maroparque - Exotenzentrum, Tierrettungsstation". La-Palma.Travel (in German). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Serpientes, cocodrilos e iguanas: la fauna exótica descubierta en las evacuaciones en La Palma". abc (in Spanish). 5 November 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Avisos, Diario de (29 October 2021). "Maroparque aclara que no se han encontrado cocodrilos ni canguros en La Palma". Diario de Avisos (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "Tarántulas, pitones, cocodrilos y un canguro: el zoo secreto que descubrió el volcán de La Palma". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 28 October 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "Maroparque en La Palma". Sapos y Princesas (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  10. ↑ Time, El (13 April 2021). "El Cabildo continúa apoyando la labor del Maroparque con una subvención de 10.000 euros en 2021". El Time (in European Spanish). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  11. 1 2 Ahora, La Palma (13 April 2021). "El Cabildo apoya la labor del Maroparque y conoce cómo ha afectado la COVID-19 al centro de rescate de animales exóticos de la Isla". ElDiario.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
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