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Terra Natura Murcia plays host to three nesting pairs of wild white storks
The species is being monitored to study its movements and development and to improve conservation
Terra Natura Murcia has been lucky enough to be chosen as a key nesting site for the wild white stork, as selected by the birds themselves. Park keepers confirmed the presence of three breeding pairs of wild storks in its facilities, a milestone in the conservation of local fauna as nesting of this species had not been recorded in the Region of Murcia for more than 70 years.
“In 2012, we began to see white storks flying over the site, attracted by the birds in the aviary and the wetland,” explained Manuel Gonzálvez, the animal manager at the site.
“Little by little, they were establishing their nests in a completely natural way,” he added, highlighting that this process has allowed zookeepers to observe their reproduction and behaviour in an environment that is safe and suitable for their development.
One aspect they noted is that, during the settlement process, one of the three pairs chose a high-voltage tower located near the university to build their nest, a decision that could present a risk to their safety. For this reason, the park administration monitors their evolution in the area and assesses the implementation of protection measures if necessary.
In 2022, a sad episode took place in the park when one of the adults of a settled couple died. Thanks to the intervention of the fire brigade and Terra Natura Murcia specialists, a chick was rescued and transferred to the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre for its care.
In its commitment to the conservation of biodiversity, the park has been collaborating since 2021 with the Murcia Regional Ministry of Agriculture in the monitoring of stork chicks to record their movements and to obtain information on their development.
Terra Natura Murcia continues to demonstrate its commitment to the sustainability of the regional ecosystem and the protection of wildlife, monitoring the settlement of nests in the facilities for the last 13 years and demonstrating that the enclosure is a suitable place for nesting and reproduction.
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.
