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Loro Parque
Loro Parque
Loro Parque
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Three bottlenose dolphins perform a stunt in the Loro Parque Dolphin Show

Key Information

Loro Parque (Spanish for "parrot park") or 'Loro Park' is a 135,000 m2 (13.5 ha) zoo on the outskirts of Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife, Spain where it houses an extensive and diverse reserve of animal and plant species. The park was conceived as a paradise for parrots and has developed over the years into one of the biggest attractions of the Canary Islands, with over 40 million visitors.[1]

History

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Since 1972 when the park was founded by Wolfgang Kiessling and opened on 13,000 m2 (1.3 ha) with 150 parrots, it has grown to 135,000 m2 (13.5 ha) and is home to some 4000 parrots representing 350 species and sub-species, as well as many other animals.[1] This parrot collection is the largest in the world and makes the park one of the main references in the study and conservation of these animals worldwide.[2]

The owners of Loro Parque have constructed another park in the south of the island called Siam Park, which opened in 2008 and claims to be the biggest water park in Europe.[3][4]

Birds

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There are parrots, black swans, golden pheasants, great curassows, laughing kookaburra,[5] penguins, puffins, flamingos and pelicans in the park. Here is the list of some parrot species, including parakeets, macaws, cockatoos and amazons living at Loro Parque:[5]

Other animals

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In addition to the dolphins and penguins, some of the other creatures on display in the park include chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas, emperor tamarins, California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, meerkats, red pandas, jaguars, white tigers, lions, pygmy hippos, capybaras, giant anteaters, American alligators, Galápagos tortoises, African spurred tortoises, exotic fish, seahorses, and various sharks.[6]

Orcas

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In February 2006, Loro Parque received four young orcas – two males, Keto (born in 1995) and Tekoa (2000), and two females, Kohana (2002) and Skyla (2004) – on loan from SeaWorld. Except for Keto, all of the orcas were fathered by Tilikum, who was involved in the death of three humans and was the subject of the 2013 documentary Blackfish. SeaWorld sent its own professionals, including trainers, curators and veterinarians, to supplement the staff at Loro Parque to assist with the orcas move. In 2004 and 2005, before the orcas were brought to Loro Parque, eight animal trainers from the park were sent to SeaWorld parks in Texas and Florida for training.[7]

On 13 October 2010, Kohana, an eight-year-old female orca, gave birth to a male calf in the park's "Orca Ocean" exhibit after a four-hour labor. The calf weighed in at about 150 kg (330 lb) and was two meters (6 ft 7 in) long. Kohana rejected her calf, forcing trainers to take the first steps in hand rearing him. Kohana's calf was named Adán, the Spanish form of “Adam”. Adán has been introduced to his uncle-dad Keto, his uncle Tekoa, his mom Kohana, his aunt Skyla, his friend Morgan and Victoria, his deceased little sister.

In November 2011, Loro Parque received its sixth orca, Morgan, who was rescued in the Netherlands on 23 June 2010. After spending a year and a half in a small tank in the Netherlands, amid much controversy,[8] Morgan was moved to Loro Parque. Claims were made that Morgan was unable to be released due to the lack of skills she would need to survive in the wild and that she was only approximately 2 or 3 at the time of her rescue. In 2012, scientists confirmed that Morgan suffered from a hearing loss that could be very severe and even absolute.[9]

On 3 August 2012, Kohana, then ten years old, gave birth to a female calf named Vicky after a two-hour labor. The calf weighed in at 152 kg (335 lb) and measured 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) long. Vicky calf was also rejected by her mother, resulting in another hand-reared orca. Vicky died unexpectedly on 16 June 2013. Her cause of death was later revealed to be intestinal problems.

In the summer of 2018, SeaWorld relinquished ownership of the orcas, giving full ownership to Loro Parque.

On 11 March 2021, Skyla died, after showing signs of discomfort. Her cause of death was later revealed to be that of gastric torsion.[10]

Kohana died prematurely on 14 September 2022.[11] The theme park said that a preliminary autopsy suggested a cardiac problem.[12]

On 22 November 2024, Keto died, having shown signs of discomfort for a few days prior. The cause of death has not yet been determined. [13]

As of December 2024, there are three orcas in Loro Parque: Tekoa (M-24 years old), Morgan (F-16-17 years old) and Adàn (M-14 years old).

Around 5:26 AM local time on 31 March, 2025, Morgan gave birth to a healthy newborn orca calf. Following this, both orcas were placed in a specialized area where they would receive constant care and to also ensure the safety of them. The calf was male, and was named Teno, who had received constant nursing from Morgan.[14] Additionally, Morgan’s diet was increased by about 30% more fish to ensure she can adequately feed the calf. As of June 2025, Teno is actively growing and remains healthy.[15]

Dolphins

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Loro Parque also presents 10 bottlenose dolphins, including 3 caught in the 1980s off Florida and 7 born in captivity : Paco (M), Ruffles (F), Pacina (F), Ulisse (M), Luna (F), Clara (F), Cesar (M), Achille (M), Ilse (F) and Robin (M).

Shows

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Shows in the park include sea lions (5 times a day), dolphins (4 times), parrots (The Loro Show – 6 times), nature vision (an indoor cinema playing a 20 minute long film – 9 times) and the orca show (3 times). Other attractions include the children's playground "Kinderlandia," Gambian Market, a parrot baby station, a huge parrot museum and many restaurants.

The pre-title sequence (narrated by Stephen Fry) of the 2005 movie The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was filmed at Loro Parque.

Loro Parque's Dolphin Show
Loro Parque's Orca Show

Foundation

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In 1994 Loro Parque founded the Loro Parque Fundación, an international foundation member of IUCN set up to highlight the need for conservation of nature and the environment. The foundation has carried out 82 conservation projects in 28 countries throughout the world, of which 31 are active with approximately 150 people working daily for the conservation of nature. Since its creation they have spent more than $10,000,000 on such projects.[16]

The foundation is particularly active in conserving the most endangered parrot species in the world, both with captive breeding such as with the critically endangered Spix's macaw, and field projects such as with the equally critically endangered indigo-winged parrot).[17] Between 2017 and 2019 the foundation assisted in releasing fourteen captive-bred macaws of the critically endangered Ara ambiguus ssp. guayaquilensis into the private Ayampe Reserve in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador.[18]

Incidents

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In 1996, Tony Silva, Loro Parque's Curator of Birds from 1989 to 1992, was convicted of conspiracy to smuggle rare birds valued at more than US$1.3 million into the United States. Silva began smuggling birds in 1986 and the conspiracy continued while he was curator at Loro Parque.[19][20][21]

In October 2007, apprentice trainer Claudia Vollhardt was attacked by Tekoa (an orca) and hospitalised.[22] After this attack, the trainers ceased to do waterwork for more than six months, and never again with Tekoa.

Two years later, on Christmas Eve of 2009, 29-year-old Alexis Martínez was killed by Keto. After spending two and a half minutes at the bottom of the 12-meter deep main pool, his body was retrieved but he could not be revived. He went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to BelleVue Medical Center in Puerto de la Cruz, and was pronounced dead. His funeral was held the following day, and his ashes were spread at Playa El Socorro at sunset. Since then, the trainers do not enter the water with any of the orcas. The park initially characterized the death as an accident. However, the autopsy report stated that Martínez died due to grave injuries caused by an orca attack, including multiple compression fractures, tears to vital organs, and bite marks.[23][24] During the investigation into the death of Alex Martinez, it came to light that the park had also mischaracterised to the public the 2007 incident with Tekoa, and claimed it was also an accident rather than an attack.[22] It was also revealed that only half of the original trainers are currently employed in Orca Ocean, Loro Parque's facility for the orcas, and none of the subsequent employees hired have been sent to Sea World parks for training. However, they did pass several training courses under the supervision of the other trained members.[7]

A female orca, Kohana, who is the daughter of the infamous Tilikum, died at Loro Parque aged only twenty years old in September 2022. Kohana's death marks the third killer whale to die at the Loro Parque marine park in the past 18 months.

In August 2021, a three-year-old orca named Ula died, and shortly before that in March 2021, 17-year-old Skyla died.

In the wild, female killer whales can live for up to 80 years.

Criticism

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Loro Parque has been criticised by a number of organizations, mostly for its use of orcas.[25][26] The Free Morgan Foundation campaigns for the release of Morgan, an orca held at Loro Parque, saying that she has been "bullied and attacked by the other orca on a regular basis" and that Tekoa, another orca held at the park, "is the most bitten orca in all the orca held in captivity around the world".[27]

Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) also criticizes Loro Parque's handling of Morgan. Specifically, they stated that "the permit under which Morgan was shipped to Loro Parque" states that "she should be used for scientific research" and that in reality, "Morgan makes daily appearances in the shows doing tricks for the paying public".[25]

PETA also criticizes Loro Parque, stating that "experts have identified health problems and psychological distress in the orcas at Loro Parque". These problems include missing teeth, rake marks and mucus dripping from their eyes.[28] They also mention the abnormal behaviour of "floating on the surface of the water" which they say is "unheard of among wild orcas".[29]

On 29 July 2018 Thomas Cook announced that it would stop selling tickets to Loro Parque over "animal welfare concerns".[30]

Awards

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On 27 September 2000, Loro Parque was awarded the most prestigious prize that the Canary Islands Government gives in the field of tourism, the award "Importante del Turismo 2000" (Important Tourism). Román Rodríguez, president of the Government of the Canaries at the time, handed this prize over to Kiessling.[31] This prize gives Loro Parque the gold medal for its contribution to make the Canary Islands a quality tourist destination. Kiessling was also awarded the "Galardones Amables del Turismo y Convivencia Ciudadana 1999" (Award for Friendly Tourism and Citizen Coexistence) by the Centre of Enterprises and Tourism (CIT) of Santa Cruz, Tenerife, at the same time.[31]

Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Loro Parque

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Loro Parque is a zoological park and major tourist attraction in , , , , founded on December 17, 1972, by German entrepreneur Wolfgang Kiessling as a sanctuary for . Initially covering a modest area focused on exotic birds—hence its name, with "loro" meaning in Spanish—it has expanded into a 56-hectare facility housing over 4,000 animals from more than 350 species, including , big cats, , and extensive exhibits featuring orcas, dolphins, and sea lions. The park's attractions emphasize educational shows and immersive habitats, such as the Orca Ocean for killer whale performances, dolphinariums, sea lion demonstrations, and the Parrot Planet showcasing one of the world's largest collections of psittacines. It has drawn over 60 million visitors since opening, establishing itself as a leading draw in the and earning repeated accolades, including designation as the world's top by Travelers' Choice Awards in 2023 and 2024 based on visitor reviews. Through the affiliated Loro Parque Fundación, it supports global conservation, notably contributing to the recovery of ten endangered via breeding and reintroduction programs. Loro Parque has faced ongoing controversies centered on , particularly the captivity of cetaceans, with organizations like PETA and In Defense of Animals alleging psychological distress, abnormal behaviors, and health issues among and dolphins forced into performances. The park, which achieved a milestone with the first captive-born in 1999 and continues breeding programs, counters these claims as misleading or fabricated, emphasizing adherence to international standards, veterinary oversight, and welfare improvements that exceed those in the wild, while criticizing activist groups for prioritizing over evidence-based conservation. These debates highlight tensions between public , propagation in controlled environments, and demands for phase-out of exhibits amid broader shifts in zoological practices.

History

Founding and Initial Focus on Parrots (1972–1980s)

Loro Parque was founded by German-born entrepreneur Wolfgang Kiessling and officially opened on December 17, 1972, in , , , . The initial facility spanned 13,000 square meters and featured a collection of 150 parrots managed by a staff of 25, with the primary mission centered on exhibiting and breeding these birds in naturalistic aviaries. Kiessling, motivated by a passion for avian conservation, envisioned the park as a dedicated sanctuary for parrots, drawing from his personal interest in and early experiences importing birds to . Throughout the 1970s, the park prioritized expanding its parrot holdings, establishing breeding programs to support propagation and genetic preservation amid growing threats from habitat loss and illegal trade in the wild. By the early 1980s, Loro Parque had amassed one of the largest captive collections globally, incorporating over 30 and emphasizing in controlled environments to bolster populations of vulnerable taxa. Efforts included targeted husbandry techniques, such as optimized diets and enclosure designs mimicking natural habitats, which facilitated multi-generational breeding for many psittacines. The marked a consolidation of this avian focus, with the park serving as a key node for international research and exchange, though without significant diversification into other animal groups. Conservation outcomes during this era laid groundwork for later species recoveries, including early interventions for critically endangered macaws like the , acquired for breeding as early as 1984. Visitor numbers grew steadily, attracting enthusiasts drawn to the specialized displays, while behind-the-scenes work emphasized ethical captive management over entertainment-driven expansions.

Expansion to Broader Zoological Exhibits (1990s–2000s)

In 1992, Loro Parque opened a specialized enclosure for western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), participating in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's Ex-situ Programme (EEP) to support conservation breeding of this endangered species. The exhibit, known as Villa Gorilla, spans multiple indoor and outdoor areas designed to mimic natural forest habitats, and by the 2000s housed one of the largest all-male groups in captivity, with seven individuals reported in later years. This addition represented a significant departure from the park's avian focus, emphasizing primate welfare through enriched environments and veterinary monitoring aligned with EEP protocols. The late 1990s saw further diversification with the 1999 opening of the Penguinarium, a 3,000-square-meter facility simulating conditions for over 300 penguins of four species, including , gentoo, , and Humboldt penguins. The exhibit features a 180-degree acrylic viewing tunnel, artificial snow production, and temperature control at -1.5°C to , drawing on to replicate subzero habitats while maintaining animal health metrics such as breeding rates exceeding wild averages in some cases. This development expanded Loro Parque's scope to polar avifauna and aquatic birds, integrating advanced climate simulation technology imported from specialized suppliers. Into the 2000s, exhibits grew prominently, culminating in the 2006 arrival of the park's first (Orcinus orca)—Keto and Tekoa—loaned from and Orlando under a collaborative agreement for and display. These introductions established Orca Ocean, a 32-million-liter with interconnected pools, enabling public presentations focused on natural behaviors like and simulations. Subsequent acquisitions and births, including hybrids, increased the pod to four by the mid-2010s, with transferring full ownership in 2018 amid shifting corporate policies; longevity data from the facility indicate some individuals outliving wild counterparts, attributed to controlled veterinary interventions. This era also included enhancements to existing and areas, originally established in the 1980s but upgraded with expanded viewing arenas and protocols to accommodate growing visitor numbers exceeding 1.5 million annually by 2005.

Modern Developments and Infrastructure Upgrades (2010s–2025)

In the 2010s, Loro Parque invested in aquatic infrastructure, culminating in the 2018 opening of the Zen Underwater Aquatic Garden, a 10-meter panoramic aquarium designed to showcase diverse marine species in an immersive setting. This addition expanded the park's exhibition capabilities, integrating advanced filtration and viewing technologies to support over 100 aquatic species across multiple tanks. A major sustainability upgrade occurred in 2020, when Loro Parque became the first zoological institution globally to achieve complete self-sufficiency in green energy, primarily through on-site renewable sources that covered all electricity needs. This initiative built on prior solar installations and extended to the broader Loro Parque Group, aiming for 100% across facilities by optimizing photovoltaic systems and . Complementary measures included rigorous water recycling and management protocols to minimize . The 2020s saw further exhibit innovations, such as the 2024 launch of the , an immersive aquarium replicating the world's largest through a combination of live marine animals and high-definition projected visuals. Environmental policies advanced with the elimination of single-use plastics, replacement of restaurant disposables with compostable alternatives, and achievement of a negative via offset programs and efficiency gains. These upgrades emphasized operational resilience, with ongoing behind-the-scenes enhancements to enclosures supporting conservation breeding and welfare standards.

Location and Infrastructure

Geographical Setting in Tenerife

Loro Parque occupies a 13.5-hectare site on the northern outskirts of , a coastal town in , the largest Canary Island belonging to . Positioned at approximately 28°24'33"N 16°33'57"W, the park lies near the Atlantic Ocean, integrated into the island's verdant northern landscape originally developed amid banana plantations and subtropical foliage. Tenerife's geography features dramatic contrasts, with its northern sector—where Loro Parque is located—receiving more Atlantic , resulting in higher humidity, frequent mists, and annual rainfall exceeding that of the arid south by a factor of several times. This fosters lush valleys and forested ravines at low elevations around 10 meters above , supporting dense that aligns with the park's avian and marine habitats. Average temperatures hover between 20–22°C in winter and 26–28°C in summer, maintaining year-round mild conditions influenced by the island's volcanic origins and oceanic position. Inland from the park, the terrain rises toward Tenerife's central volcanic massif, including Mount Teide at over 3,700 meters, but the immediate coastal setting provides a stable, humid shielded by cliffs and ridges, enhancing the park's self-sustaining ecosystems with natural shading and water retention from regional patterns.

Key Facilities and Expansions

Loro Parque's core infrastructure expanded significantly from its initial 13,000 m² footprint in to over 135,000 m² by the 2010s, incorporating diverse zoological exhibits beyond parrots. The , opened in 1987 with 7 million liters of purified , marked a pivotal shift toward facilities, enabling presentations and housing multiple pods. In 1989, additions included an orchid house showcasing tropical flora and a pool for alligator-like reptiles, enhancing botanical and reptilian displays. The 1992 introduction of a supported European Programme breeding efforts, featuring lowland gorillas in a naturalistic with climbing structures and moats. Ocean, launched in 2006 in collaboration with , provided a dedicated 9 million-liter complex for killer whales, including pools for behaviors like breaching and social interactions, though subsequent plans for further expansion of this were proposed around 2020 to accommodate growing pod sizes. Other key facilities encompass Planet Penguin, the world's largest penguin exhibit, a climate-controlled simulating a recreated environment complete with real snowfall, housing hundreds of penguins including Humboldt and king penguins, and featuring an underwater viewing area, and the Aquarium, an impressive underwater world featuring a shark tunnel for close encounters with sharks, jellyfish displays such as AquaViva showcasing hundreds of colorful and fluorescent jellyfish alongside blacktip reef sharks and tropical fish, 12 thematic tanks holding over 1.2 million liters, and more than 100 aquatic species including thousands of fish and corals. These developments reflect ongoing investments in simulation and visitor amenities, such as cable car systems and themed gardens spanning subtropical vegetation.

Animal Collections

Avian Species and Exhibits

Loro Parque maintains the world's largest collection, exceeding 4,000 individuals across more than 350 and subspecies of the family . This reserve emphasizes breeding success, with the Loro Parque Fundación having prevented the of 10 through captive and reintroductions since 1994. Approximately 800 parrots are displayed in public exhibits, spanning diverse genera including macaws, , and lorikeets. Key avian exhibits include immersive aviaries designed for close observation without barriers. The Katandra Treetops habitat replicates an Australian treetop environment with suspension bridges, housing rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus moluccanus) and other Australasian species that perform aerial acrobatics amid lush vegetation. The Oceanía features multicolored Australian parakeets, underscoring their roles as seed dispersers and pollinators in naturalistic settings. A 2024 addition showcases 15 South American parakeet species (Aratinga and related genera) from the park's breeding station, allowing free flight in a dedicated . Planet Penguin is the largest penguin exhibit in the world, featuring a recreated Antarctic environment complete with real snowfall, housing hundreds of penguins across five species including king (Aptenodytes patagonicus), gentoo (Pygoscelis papua), and Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) penguins, and an underwater viewing area. The Loro Show presents trained parrots demonstrating cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and interaction with handlers, in multiple daily performances that highlight intelligence. These exhibits collectively prioritize parrot diversity, with supplementary displays of non-parrot birds integrated into broader park aviaries, though dominate the avian holdings.

Marine Mammals: Orcas and Dolphins

Loro Parque houses killer whales (s, Orcinus orca) in its OrcaOcean facility, which opened in December 2006 with four animals transferred from parks in the United States: the adult male Keto, subadult male Tekoa, and young females Kohana and Skyla. Skyla died shortly after arrival due to complications from , reducing the initial group to three. The facility features interconnected pools totaling approximately 32 million liters of , with depths ranging from 8 to 12.5 meters, designed to support social groups and behaviors under veterinary and behavioral monitoring. The current pod consists of five orcas as of October 2025: Keto (born 1995), Tekoa (born 2000), Adán (born October 13, 2010, to Kohana sired by Keto), Morgan (rescued November 2010 from the , deemed non-releasable by Dutch authorities due to poor condition and stranding history), and Teno (born March 31, 2025, to Morgan). Kohana died in December 2020 from multiple organ failure and after a history of issues, including the stress of multiple failed pregnancies. Loro Parque has conducted breeding, resulting in Adán's birth in 2010 and Teno's in 2025, with the park asserting these efforts contribute to genetic management and research under human care. organizations, however, criticize the enclosure as inadequate for such large, migratory animals, citing surfaces, limited space compared to ranges (up to 160 km daily), and early integration of calves like Teno into performances by four months of age, potentially compromising development. The park counters that independent veterinary assessments, including from the , confirm the orcas' with no significant pathologies in recent years, emphasizing 24/7 care and enrichment. Orcas at Loro Parque participate in educational presentations multiple times daily, demonstrating natural behaviors like and vocalizations, which the park frames as opportunities for public awareness of conservation needs, including threats like and in the wild. These shows occur in a stadium seating over 2,000, with trainers using positive reinforcement; however, incidents including trainer injuries and aggression, such as Keto's involvement in fatalities at prior to transfer, have fueled debates on stress in . The park's bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are maintained in a dedicated established in 1987, featuring pools for shows and housing a pod of approximately 11 individuals as of early 2025. Three dolphins were captured off in the 1980s, while the remainder, including a calf named Ilse born January 2025 to a resident mother, were captive-bred at the facility, reflecting ongoing with periods of 11-12 months. Dolphins perform in interactive shows highlighting , such as high jumps and hoop traversals, intended to educate on their and coastal habitats spanning temperate to tropical waters in pods of 15-25. Critics from groups like PETA argue that the artificial environment induces stereotypic behaviors and health risks, including dorsal fin collapse seen in some males, attributing these to confinement rather than natural aging or predominant in wild populations. Loro Parque maintains high welfare standards through seawater filtration, veterinary oversight, and , positioning the program as supportive of cetacean via its Fundación, which funds field studies on wild populations.

Terrestrial Mammals and Other Species

Loro Parque maintains exhibits for several terrestrial mammal species, emphasizing naturalistic habitats and conservation breeding where applicable. Key include western lowland (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), housed in multi-level enclosures spanning approximately 3,000 square meters with planted areas and terraces to mimic forest environments. The park supports gorilla conservation through relocation and breeding programs for bachelor groups, contributing to species survival amid wild population declines. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are also exhibited, showcasing social behaviors in family groups. Carnivores feature prominently among the terrestrial mammals, with big cats such as lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris, including white variants), and jaguars (Panthera onca). Lions participate in the KAZA Project for African conservation, displayed in enclosures simulating conditions. Jaguars, adapted to and habitats, are kept in solitary or paired setups reflecting their natural range in the ; notable births include twin cubs in 2018 during the park's 47th anniversary. Tigers occupy similar naturalistic areas, with the park highlighting their solitary lifestyles. Other terrestrial mammals include hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius), Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus), giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), meerkats (Suricata suricatta), and fruit bats (Carollia perspicillata). Otters inhabit semi-aquatic enclosures emphasizing their playful, ecosystem-balancing roles, while anteaters roam savanna-like spaces suited to their foraging habits. Bats are maintained in cave-simulating habitats, underscoring their contributions. Beyond mammals, exhibits feature reptiles such as American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and various , alongside iguanas in tropical setups. These collections integrate veterinary care and enrichment, with studies indicating many mammals, including those at Loro Parque, achieve longer lifespans than wild counterparts due to reduced predation and consistent nutrition.

Shows and Presentations

Marine Mammal Shows

Loro Parque's marine mammal shows feature (Orcinus orca), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), presented in dedicated venues like Orca Ocean and the . These daily performances, held multiple times, demonstrate trained behaviors including leaps, synchronized swims, vocal displays, and trainer interactions to highlight the animals' physical prowess and cognitive abilities. The orca presentations in Orca Ocean showcase the pod's strength through dynamic routines, with the current group comprising captive-born males Tekoa and Adán, wild-caught female Morgan (rescued in 2010), and her male calf Teno, born on August 5, 2024. Shows occur twice daily, drawing large audiences to observe behaviors not typically seen , such as voluntary stranding on platforms. A fatal incident occurred on February 24, 2010, when orca Keto attacked and killed trainer Alexis Martínez during a non-public , marking the second such trainer death involving SeaWorld-loaned orcas at the facility. Multiple orca deaths have followed, including Skyla in 2011 and Kohana in 2022 at age 20, amid ongoing debates over captive longevity versus wild averages exceeding 50 years for females. Dolphin shows, performed four times daily, involve a resident group of eight bottlenose dolphins—Pacina, Luna, Ilse, Clara, Achille, Ulisse, Ebu, and others—in displays of agility, such as high jumps and hoop traversals, emphasizing their echolocation and . Sea lion shows, scheduled five times daily, feature acrobatic feats, ball-balancing, and retrieval tasks by individuals like those in the park's colony, underscoring their adaptability and trainability in a controlled aquatic environment. Despite the park's assertions of superior welfare standards verified by independent veterinary experts in May 2025, including ample and veterinary care, critics from organizations like highlight stressors in captivity, such as early integration of calves like Teno into shows at four months old, potentially impacting development based on observed behaviors in footage. Empirical data from captive cetacean populations indicate higher aggression rates and dental pathologies compared to wild counterparts, though Loro Parque disputes generalized claims, citing species-specific adaptations to their enclosures.

Bird and Other Animal Demonstrations

Loro Parque's bird demonstrations center on through "The Loro Show," an educational presentation conducted multiple times daily in the park's dedicated Parrot Palace facility. This show emphasizes the cognitive abilities, vocal , and aerial of various , including macaws, cockatoos, and lorikeets, with birds performing coordinated flights and interactive behaviors to engage audiences. The presentation serves as an ambassadorial platform for parrot conservation, drawing from the park's collection of over 4,000 individuals across more than 300 and . Complementing the avian focus, sea lion demonstrations feature (Zalophus californianus) in routine performances that highlight their physical prowess and trainability. These sessions, held several times per day, include acrobatic jumps, ball-balancing tricks, and displays, underscoring the animals' adaptability and while providing insights into their natural behaviors in a controlled setting. Trainers interact directly with the sea lions to demonstrate learned commands, fostering visitor appreciation for ecology amid the park's broader exhibit .

Educational and Conservation Messaging

Loro Parque's animal presentations emphasize educational themes alongside demonstrations of trained behaviors, with trainers narrating insights into intelligence, natural histories, and environmental threats to cultivate visitor awareness. These shows frame the animals as ambassadors for conservation, linking performative elements to broader imperatives for protection and survival in the wild. The dolphin shows explicitly address bottlenose dolphin characteristics, such as echolocation and social dynamics, while underscoring conservation needs amid threats like and , presented through interactive formats that engage audiences on protection strategies. Parrot presentations, ongoing since the park's founding in 1972, focus on psittacine , flight adaptations, and capabilities, evolving to prioritize didactic content that explains impacts on parrot populations exceeding 350 housed or bred at the facility. Sea lion demonstrations highlight pinniped agility and sensory acuity via tied to simulations, fostering understanding of roles, while Orca Ocean performances incorporate backdrop messaging on efforts, portraying the ' routines as models for research-informed welfare and advocacy.

Conservation and Research Efforts

Loro Parque Fundación Initiatives

The Loro Parque Fundación, established in 1994 as an international non-profit organization in , , focuses on protecting wild and their habitats, with particular emphasis on (loros) and cetaceans. Its mission encompasses , scientific , sustainable breeding programs, and collaborative activities to foster conservation, using and cetaceans as ambassadors to raise awareness. The foundation operates the La Vera breeding center, spanning 30,000 m² and housing over 350 /, which supports reintroduction efforts into natural habitats. Key initiatives include funding habitat recovery and ecosystem restoration projects, primarily targeting threatened populations and marine environments linked to cetaceans. To date, the foundation has invested €29,057,774 in 280 conservation and research projects across 36 countries, contributing to the improved status of 12 species previously on the brink of . Examples encompass the reintroduction of six Lear's Macaws (Anodorhynchus leari) to their native Brazilian habitat in 2022, following breeding and rehabilitation efforts. In , it supports studies on halogenated pollutants and in the ' waters, alongside advocacy for a marine sanctuary in to protect cetacean biodiversity. The foundation also maintains the IUCN Species Survival Centre in , assessing across Atlantic archipelagos and prioritizing recovery. Annual funding calls target projects aligned with its priorities, such as the 2025 allocation of $1.75 million for 67 recovery initiatives focused on parrots and marine mammals. efforts include personality studies on orcas to inform welfare and conservation strategies, yielding approximately 20 scientific publications per year on over 400 . Educational reaches over 52 million visitors through Loro Parque's platforms and extends to 19 countries via resources promoting reduced illegal and . operations collaborate with authorities to rehabilitate injured , emphasizing empirical outcomes like stabilization over unverified claims.

Breeding Programs and Species Survival

Loro Parque's breeding programs, managed primarily through the Loro Parque Fundación established in 1994, emphasize sustainable to serve as a genetic for , particularly s and cetaceans, while supporting habitat restoration and reintroduction efforts. The Fundación's La Vera Breeding Centre spans over 30,000 m² and houses more than 350 and subspecies, many critically endangered, facilitating controlled reproduction to bolster populations depleted by and habitat loss. These initiatives have contributed to preventing the of 12 parrot through targeted breeding and international collaborations. For parrots, notable successes include the breeding of Spix's macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii), with a pair held since 1984 yielding chicks in 1992 after dietary adjustments to include fruits, , and soaked pulses, aiding global recovery efforts for this extinct-in-the-wild species. Lear's macaws ( leari) have benefited from programs, with the Fundación shipping nine individuals to in February 2025—the largest such transfer—and six more in 2022 for reintroduction into their native habitat, supported by specialized breeding protocols developed at Loro Parque facilities. These efforts align with European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs) and provide birds for release, reducing pressure on wild stocks. In marine mammals, Loro Parque maintains active breeding for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), resulting in births such as that of Ilse in late 2024, announced in January 2025, demonstrating the viability of under human care and contributing to studbook management for the species. For s (Orcinus orca), the park achieved the first captive birth in with Adán, born on October 13, 2010, to parents Kohana and Keto, followed by Teno, a male calf born to rescued Morgan on March 31, 2025, whose healthy development at two months underscored maternal care efficacy. These programs, endorsed by the IUCN as essential for cetacean survival amid wild threats like vessel strikes and pollution, position Loro Parque as an IUCN Species Survival Centre for , funding 280 projects across 36 countries with over $29 million invested since inception.

Scientific Research and Field Contributions

Loro Parque Fundación, established in , conducts and funds applied programs focused on , encompassing aspects such as , , and to support conservation strategies. These efforts include collaborative studies revealing parrots' advanced motor abilities, as demonstrated in on macaws involuntarily copying intransitive movements, which highlights their cognitive capacities beyond vocal . The foundation maintains the world's largest collection, enabling long-term data collection on breeding success and health metrics that inform ex-situ conservation models. In marine mammal research, Loro Parque contributes to cetacean studies, including a multi-institutional across 43 organizations in seven countries that examined habitat design, , and training impacts on welfare outcomes, using empirical metrics like behavioral observations and physiological indicators. Additionally, the park collaborates on echolocation research, deploying acoustic monitoring to quantify sensory capabilities and navigation behaviors in controlled settings, with data shared to advance understanding of wild populations. Field contributions emphasize funding habitat recovery and anti-poaching initiatives, with Loro Parque Fundación allocating approximately €400,000 annually to 15 active projects worldwide, targeting habitats in regions like and . In 2025, it committed $1.75 million to 67 species-recovery efforts, prioritizing in-situ interventions such as and nest protection that have averted for nine species through combined and wild release programs. These initiatives integrate field data from partner organizations to refine threat assessments, though outcomes depend on verifiable reintroduction success rates tracked via IUCN criteria.

Economic and Social Impact

Tourism Revenue and Employment

Loro Parque, operating as part of the group, generates substantial revenue that bolsters Tenerife's , with the group achieving an average annual turnover of approximately 80 million euros in the years leading up to the . This figure reflects ticket sales, on-site expenditures, and ancillary services, positioning the park as a of the island's visitor-driven , where accounts for over 35% of the ' GDP. Post-pandemic recovery has sustained high attendance, with the group's attractions—including Loro Parque—welcoming over three million visitors in 2023 alone, contributing to rebounding revenue streams amid Tenerife's 5.82 million total tourists that year. In terms of employment, the Loro Parque Company directly employs around 1,000 individuals across its operations, spanning roles in animal care, guest services, maintenance, and administration. This direct workforce supports an estimated 10,000 indirect jobs in the local , including transportation, , and retail sectors tied to park visitors. These positions have grown from modest beginnings—starting with 25 employees in —to current levels, driven by expansions in facilities and attractions that enhance year-round stability in northern . The park's economic footprint underscores its role in fostering sustained local prosperity, particularly through high-season peaks and off-season initiatives that mitigate . Loro Parque has experienced steady growth in attendance since its founding in 1972, accumulating over 55 million visitors by the early 2020s, reflecting its status as a major draw in 's sector. Annual figures for the park itself have hovered around 1.2 million in recent pre-pandemic years, contributing to the Loro Parque Group's total of approximately 3 million visitors across its attractions in 2023, marking a strong post-COVID recovery. This uptick aligns with broader trends, where alone attracted about 40% of the archipelago's visitors in 2024, driven by attractions like Loro Parque amid sustained demand for family-oriented wildlife experiences. Visitor experiences emphasize the park's diverse offerings, including shows, aviaries, and penguin habitats, which receive praise for their educational value and spectacle in large-scale reviews. data from over 32,000 reviews yields an average rating of 4.5 out of 5, with frequent commendations for animal variety, show quality, and family suitability, though some reports note overcrowding and parking delays during peak seasons. The park has earned accolades such as 's Travelers' Choice for the world's best zoological park in 2017, underscoring high satisfaction tied to well-maintained facilities and interactive elements like the Ocean exhibit. reviews, averaging 4.2 out of 5 from nearly 100 users, highlight positive staff interactions and conservation messaging, balanced against occasional critiques of wait times for popular demonstrations. Attendance trends indicate resilience, with the group reporting nearly 3.3 million visitors in a record year announced ahead of 2025 tourism events, fueled by international appeal and expansions like enhanced show venues. Empirical feedback from platforms shows experiential peaks during shows and feeding sessions, where visitors report immersive engagement, though causal factors like seasonal tourism surges in —peaking in winter months—can strain capacity and dilute satisfaction for some. Overall, the park's draw persists through verifiable high repeat visit intent in surveys, supported by its integration into 's ecosystem of sun-and-adventure tourism.

Animal Welfare Standards

Enrichment, Veterinary Care, and Habitat Design

Loro Parque implements programs tailored to promote natural behaviors across , including modifications to habitats such as introducing novel objects, sensory stimuli, and sessions that encourage , problem-solving, and social interaction. For cetaceans, these efforts were evaluated in a multi-institutional study involving data from 46 habitats, which assessed the impacts of enrichment and on welfare, leading to the development of a specialized monitoring . Enrichment for terrestrial animals, such as tigers, involves ongoing environmental adjustments to stimulate physical activity and cognitive engagement, as demonstrated in documented practices from 2016 onward. Veterinary care at Loro Parque is provided through a dedicated staffed by veterinarians experienced in avian, exotic, and , with a focus on comprehensive monitoring and preventive protocols. The facility maintains high husbandry standards, including regular assessments and welfare evaluations for killer whales, as conducted by independent experts in 2015, confirming overall and well-being. A team of veterinarians and caregivers oversees daily monitoring, integrating with medical interventions to support species-specific needs. Habitat design adheres to species-specific requirements, incorporating elements like vegetation for avian enclosures to create microclimates and replicate natural settings, while pools are engineered to support , water quality, and behavioral opportunities. In 2017, Loro Parque became the first European zoo to receive the American Humane Conservation™ certificate, verifying standards in enclosure design, enrichment integration, social structures, and emergency procedures through independent audits. For orcas and dolphins, enclosures include features such as systems for 24/7 acoustic monitoring and structured spaces promoting , countering claims of barren environments with evidence-based welfare enhancements.

Empirical Metrics of Animal Health Outcomes

In captive settings like Loro Parque, bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) contribute to establishing reference intervals for 56 hematologic, serum, and plasma biochemical parameters, drawn from samples of apparently healthy individuals across 43 accredited facilities, including Loro Parque, with data collection spanning July 2018 to April 2019. These intervals, influenced by factors such as (e.g., females showing higher and lower levels) and age (e.g., increasing triglycerides), provide baselines for detecting deviations indicative of , implying the sampled dolphins, including those at Loro Parque, exhibited physiological norms consistent with health. For killer whales (Orcinus orca) at Loro Parque, veterinary research includes long-term ovarian ultrasonography revealing cyclic follicular development and corpora lutea formation aligned with reproductive cycles, supporting reproductive health in the pod. Anatomical studies of pituitary glands from necropsies indicate structures comparable to wild counterparts, with no evidence of captivity-induced pathologies in gross morphology or . Broader captive killer whale data report median life expectancies of 29.3 years and averages of 42.3 years, exceeding medians for certain wild populations (e.g., 20.1–28.8 years for southern resident whales), though direct Loro Parque-specific metrics remain tied to individual records amid ongoing pod stability since the mid-2000s. Breeding outcomes serve as proxies for health, with Loro Parque achieving successful parturition of calves and one killer whale calf (Teko, born 2010), reflecting adequate maternal and neonatal viability under veterinary oversight. Across zoological institutions, including contributors like Loro Parque, first-year mortality has declined up to 31% and risen up to 3.4-fold over the past century, correlating with advances in habitat design and care protocols. These metrics, derived from multi-facility analyses rather than isolated park data, highlight improved outcomes but underscore the need for facility-specific longitudinal tracking to isolate causal factors beyond general trends.

Controversies and Responses

Activist Criticisms and Welfare Allegations

organizations, including PETA and , have accused Loro Parque of compromising cetacean welfare through confinement in inadequate facilities and exploitation in public performances. PETA claims that up to nine bottlenose dolphins are held in tanks comparable in size to a car park, while orcas inhabit barren concrete enclosures that fail to replicate oceanic conditions, fostering and unnatural behaviors such as listless floating and self-inflicted injuries like fractured teeth observed during visits in 2015. These groups allege that animals are coerced into repetitive, demeaning tricks—such as circling pools, leaping on command, or allowing trainers to stand on sensitive rostrums—for food rewards, exacerbating physical strain and psychological distress. has specifically criticized the inclusion of a four-month-old calf named Teno in shows as of August 2025, arguing that early performances contribute to documented harms like stress-related pathologies in captive cetaceans, as noted by former trainers and welfare experts. A pattern of premature orca deaths has been cited as empirical evidence of systemic welfare failures. PETA highlighted the losses of Ula (Morgan's daughter, aged 2 in 2021), Skyla (aged 17 in 2022), and Kohana (aged 20 in September 2022), contrasting these with wild lifespans of 30–80 years and captive averages around 14 years. reported Keto's death on November 22, 2024, in a chlorinated pool—marking the fourth such premature fatality at the park in recent years—and linked it to lifelong originating from SeaWorld's breeding program, where Keto also fatally rammed his trainer Alexis in December 2009. Whale and Dolphin Conservation has campaigned against Loro Parque's and shows, portraying them as circus-style exploitation that prioritizes entertainment over species-specific needs, with four and nine bottlenose subjected to such routines amid broader concerns over breeding outcomes like Ula's congenital deformities. Activists reference indicating exhibit abnormal repetitive behaviors and succumb early to infections uncommon in wild populations, attributing these to environmental and social deprivations inherent to artificial housing.

Incidents Involving Animal Health or Behavior

On December 24, 2009, Keto fatally attacked 29-year-old trainer Alexis Martínez during a non-public training session at Orca Ocean, resulting in severe injuries including vertebral fractures, organ lacerations, and bite marks that led to his death from hemorrhagic shock and multiple traumas. The incident highlighted aggressive behavior in toward humans, with Keto previously involved in interactions requiring intervention. Skyla, a 17-year-old female , died on March 12, 2021, from acute intestinal torsion causing septicemia, as determined by necropsy conducted by experts from the University of de . Ula, a 2-year-old female calf, died on August 10, 2021, from a similar acute intestinal torsion leading to septicemia, unrelated to Skyla's case per pathological analysis, though both conditions occur in wild and captive populations. Kohana, a 20-year-old female , died on September 14, 2022, from probable due to a vascular malformation, with necropsy confirming no intestinal pathology and ongoing health monitoring prior to the acute event. Keto died on November 22, 2024, at age 29 after several weeks of illness, with necropsy results pending at the time; no immediate cause was identified externally. Other observed behaviors include inter-orca aggression manifesting as rake marks from teeth scraping and occasional stereotypic actions like gate ramming, documented in footage from onward, though such interactions are also recorded in wild pods for social hierarchy establishment. No major dolphin-specific health or behavioral incidents resulting in fatalities were reported in peer-reviewed or official veterinary records during this period.

Park's Defenses and Debunking of Claims

Loro Parque asserts that allegations of inadequate , particularly concerning its pod, stem from misrepresented or manipulated evidence, emphasizing that veterinary assessments consistently reveal no underlying crises. In September 2024, the park achieved the first humane certification in for its animal care practices, administered by American Humane and based on evidence-driven standards vetted by an independent Scientific Advisory Board, which includes metrics for habitat quality, , and behavioral . Park officials maintain that routine rake marks on , often cited by critics as indicators of or distress, are commonplace in both wild populations and , arising from natural social bonding and play rather than . Addressing claims by PETA and similar groups of scarred, listless , Loro Parque has produced veterinary records and expert evaluations demonstrating robust physical condition, with no evidence of or nutritional deficits; for instance, and bloodwork on resident females, including rescued Morgan, show normal physiological parameters absent markers. The park refutes narratives of exploitative capture by clarifying Morgan's 2010 intake as a permitted operation authorized by Dutch courts after she was found stranded, emaciated, and at risk of propeller injuries in the , not a proactive wild removal for shows. Independent veterinary inspections, such as a 2015 assessment by specialist David Perpiñán, corroborated the pod's overall health stability post-rehabilitation. In debunking behavioral abnormality accusations, Loro Parque highlights a 2019 peer-reviewed of social interactions among its orcas, which documented affiliative behaviors exceeding aggressive ones under an enrichment regimen designed to mimic natural foraging and grouping, thereby countering assertions of "zoochosis" or isolation-induced . Park representatives argue that activist videos purporting —such as those alleging or —selectively edit footage to omit , like post-exercise recovery or pod dynamics, with full veterinary logs available to regulators showing proactive interventions like rib fracture treatments in cases of conspecific scuffles, akin to wild occurrences. A May 2025 review by external experts, granted unrestricted access to medical archives and live observations, affirmed the orcas' welfare alignment with species-specific needs, including pool dimensions exceeding European Association of Zoos and Aquaria guidelines. Loro Parque further contends that broader critiques ignore its breeding success—evidenced by calves like Teno born in without wild sourcing—and conservation funding exceeding €5 million annually for in-situ and projects, positioning the facility as a net contributor to species survival rather than a detriment. Judicial outcomes, including Spanish parliamentary dossiers submitted by the park, have not impugned facility standards, with one resolution explicitly upholding despite transfer disputes. These defenses underscore a reliance on empirical data over emotive advocacy, with the park pursuing legal transparency from authorities like Spain's Scientific Authority to expose perceived biases in anti- reports.

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