Chiqui the white rhino marks 39th birthday at Terra Natura Murcia
A celebration of longevity, care and conservation at one of Spain’s top wildlife parks
Terra Natura Murcia threw a special birthday party on Wednesday September 17 for ‘Chiqui’, the oldest white rhino in its care and a true favourite among visitors. Turning 39 is no small feat for any rhino, and Chiqui, who arrived at the park in 2010 after being rescued from a circus, was the star attraction for guests and staff alike.To celebrate, the park set up an environmental enrichment activity, allowing visitors a closer look at how Chiqui interacts with his habitat and tucks into a special meal. The event offered those present a glimpse into the daily life of this remarkable animal, underlining just how important welfare and stimulation are for wildlife kept in these settings.
For those unable to make it in person, Terra Natura Murcia is running a raffle through its social media. The lucky winner will receive four tickets to the park, a cuddly rhino toy, and a personalised chat with one of Chiqui’s caretakers, promising some fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the species and the threats wild rhinos face today.
“Chiqui is a brilliant example of what modern wildlife parks should be: not just a home for animals, but a place for rescue, well-being and education,” said Gustavo Martínez, director of Terra Natura Murcia. “Their story reminds us that many animals cannot return to the wild, and our facilities allow them to live with the care and quality of life they deserve,” Martínez added.
Southern white rhinos are still at risk because of poaching and shrinking habitats. The park continues its efforts in education and international conservation work, encouraging visitors to learn more about the importance of protecting these impressive creatures and what’s being done to safeguard their future.
If you are planning a visit, Chiqui is sure to be an unmissable highlight - proof of just how long, and how well, a rescued animal can thrive in the right setting.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance on the Terra Natura website, or at the ticket office on the day of your visit.
Click here for more information about Terra Natura Murcia
Image: Simon/Pixabay
Address
C/Regidor Cayetano Gago S/N 30100 Espinardo Murcia ESPANA Tel: (+34)968 368 200
Terra Natura Murcia, wildlife and adventure water park in the outskirts of the city of Murcia
Terra Natura Murcia is one of the most important and spectacular animal and nature parks in western Spain, and is one of a new generation of wildlife parks in which visitors can discover the concept of what's called "Zooinmersión."
The aim of this is recreate a habitat which gives an experience of being at one with the wildlife viewed in the park, so to this end more than 500 examples of 50 species of vegetation have been interplanted among the animal habitats, spread across an area occupying more than 165,000 square metres.
The planting has matured to create a comfortable and interesting environment which enhances the interaction between visitors and animals.
The planting not only softens the landscape, but also enables visitors to be closer to the animals and have direct human contact rather than the traditional forms of wildlife park where the animals are at a distance behind physical barriers.
The park contains over 500 animals belonging to 50 different species (some of which are in grave danger of extinction), alongside giraffes, lions, hippopotamus, lemurs, brown bears, Iberian lynx, Oryx, Iberian wolves and a White African Rhinoceros.
Throughout the year, Terra Natura Murcia offers different educational talks during visits to their facilities: giraffes, brown bears and otters.
One of the most popular areas is the falconry zone, where the displays enable visitors to discover the beauty of a great variety of birds such as the majestic flight of the peregrine falcon, which reaches diving speeds of over 300 km an hour, the eagle owl, various types of hawk, the griffon vulture and the buzzard eagle. One of the main aims of the park is to encourage contact and engage in interaction between animals and humans, and the falconry is a popular means of achieving this goal.
Among the mammals are Iberian and European Lynx, Mouflon and Coatis.
Aqua Natura Water park
During the summer Terra Natura opens Aqua Natura, the only water park in the Region of Murcia.
This is a refreshing and enjoyable way to cool down in the heat of summer, with swimming pools for adults and children, slides and shoots, kamikazes, lazy river, entertainment and games for youngsters, all within just a short distance of the centre of the city of Murcia.
Opening hours 2024
Terra Natura Murcia is open every day of the year except 1st January and 25th December.
The wildlife park opens at 10.00 in the morning, and during the summer (June 23rd to September 8th) it opens at 11.00.
The water park opens from May 25th to September 8th, at 11.00
Closing times are as follows:
January 2nd – March 15th: 17.00, except weekends in February and March (18.00).
March 16th – May 24th: 18.00, except weekends in April and May (19.00).
May 25th – June 16th: 19.00.
June 17th – September 8th: 20.00.
NB: During the summer special nocturnal tours and meals are available. See what's on section for latest promotions.
September 9th – September 15th: 19.00.
September 16th – October 25th: 18.00, except weekends in September and October (19.00).
October 28th – December 31st: 17.00, except weekends in November (18.00).
Details of daily activities can be found here: extra activities and special offers are regularly updated on Murcia Today.
Click here for online bookings
How to get there
Terra Natura is located in the northern outskirts of the city of Murcia in Espinardo, accessed via the A-7 motorway.
Address: Calle Regidor Cayetano Gago, 30100, Espinardo, Murcia
From the A-7 Murcia to Alicante, exit 136, Universidad de Murcia
From the Autovia A-7 Alicante to Murcia, exit 762b, Murcia centro
By Bus
From central Murcia. Bus line number 31 leaves from Plaza Cruz Roja via Gran Via and passes by the park, from Monday to Saturday every half hour and on Sunday every hour.
Line 39A, leaves from the railway station from Monday to Friday every 15 minutes
Line 39C leaves from Infante Juan Manuel (Pio Baroja) from Monday to Friday every 30 minutes.
