Foundation
Aspro Natura Foundation
Welcome to the Aspro Natura Foundation
Here you can learn more about our commitment to the environment and society.
The Aspro Natura Foundation was established in Gran Canaria in 1984. It is a non-profit environmental organisation that operates through Aspro Parks’ zoological parks across Spain. It dedicates its human, material and financial resources to conservation, education and research.
Our objectives
- Contribute to the protection of nature and the environment.
- Raise public awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity.
- Develop educational and recreational activities for people with special needs.
Where we work
- Wildlife conservation
- Education and research
- Social action
Wildlife conservation
Control of invasive bird species – Maspalomas Oasis
In 2007, a pilot programme to control invasive bird species was developed in the Maspalomas Oasis and its surrounding area, with the participation of Palmitos Park and the Aspro Natura Foundation.
Sea Turtle Rescue and Recovery – Balearic Islands
Since 1993, the Foundation has collaborated in responding to sea turtle strandings. Live specimens are transferred to a rehabilitation centre in Mallorca and, once recovered, are released back into the sea in the waters of Cabrera National Park.
Cetacean Conservation – Balearic Islands
Since 1993, the Foundation has participated in responding to cetacean strandings, recording specimens, conducting sighting campaigns and developing environmental education activities.
Cetacean Sighting Campaign
The Foundation invites sailors and professionals from the Balearic Islands’ nautical sector to collaborate in identifying and recording cetacean sightings in the Balearic Sea.
Ferreret Conservation
The Foundation participates in the Ferreret conservation programme (Alytes muletensis) through a captive breeding programme aimed at strengthening and reintroducing populations, maintaining a genetic reserve and developing environmental education activities.
Conservation at Aspro Parks
Through its zoological parks, the Foundation develops ex situ conservation programmes and participates in EEP and ESB programmes coordinated by EAZA for threatened species.
These include:
- Moluccan Cockatoo – Palmitos Park
- Bottlenose Dolphin – Marineland Mallorca, Marineland Catalunya, Aqualand Costa Adeje and Boudewijn Seapark Bruges
- Red-tailed Amazon – Palmitos Park
- Palm Cockatoo – Marineland Mallorca
- Humboldt Penguin – Marineland Mallorca, Marineland Catalunya and L’Aquàrium de Barcelona
- Siberian Tiger – Aqualeon Tarragona
- Brown Bear – Aqualeon Tarragona
- California Sea Lion – Marineland Mallorca
- Southern Ground Hornbill – Jungle Park
Bottlenose Dolphin Breeding Programme
Aqualand Costa Adeje, Marineland Catalunya and Boudewijn Seapark Bruges operate a captive breeding programme for bottlenose dolphins.
The programme has resulted in the birth of numerous individuals and includes one of the first second-generation bottlenose dolphins born in captivity in Europe.
Its success is based on the social stability of the groups, monitoring reproductive cycles, the quality of the facilities and the work of a multidisciplinary technical team.
CITES Species Rescue and Protection
Aspro Parks’ facilities collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Environment by providing care for confiscated animals listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention (CITES).
In Tarragona, the Foundation maintains the only captive group in Europe of the black kob antelope (Kobus leche smithemani).
Palmitos Park also collaborates with rehabilitation centres, Customs, SEPRONA and CITES, providing care for non-releasable or confiscated specimens and collecting biological material from confiscations for educational purposes.
Education and Research
The Aspro Natura Foundation contributes to education, training and conservation research, collaborating with universities, scientific institutions and international programmes.
- Environmental education: For more than 20 years, Aspro Parks’ facilities have developed educational activities for school groups and the general public, reaching thousands of students every year.
- Professional and university training: The Foundation maintains agreements with universities, training centres and public and private institutions, offering placements to students of Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Marine Sciences, Animal Care and other fields related to conservation. Students join the teams under the supervision of the Foundation’s biologists and veterinarians.
- Research and conservation: The Foundation provides data, biological samples and expertise to research projects focusing on threatened species, behaviour, genetics, nutrition and reproduction, as well as participating in international conservation programmes.
Our collaborations include:
- EAZA EEP Komodo Dragon Field Conservation Programme: contribution of biometric data for studies on Komodo dragons.
- Autonomous University of Madrid: collaboration on studies of chromosomal differentiation in primates using blood samples.
- University of Barcelona: contribution of data and sea turtle samples for genetic, feeding and satellite telemetry studies as part of the LIFE-Posidonia programme.
- University of Bochum (Germany): study on visual cognition in bottlenose dolphins conducted at Marineland Mallorca, which led to scientific publications.
Social Action
Our social commitment is reflected in initiatives that promote inclusion, equal opportunities and the well-being of vulnerable groups.
- Accessibility and inclusion: facilitating access to our parks for people with disabilities and socially disadvantaged groups.
- Dreamnight: a special event for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities and their families, featuring educational activities and opportunities to interact with animals.
- Dolphin-assisted therapy: a programme at Aqualand Costa Adeje exploring the use of dolphins as a supportive therapeutic tool.
- Social inclusion: programmes developed at Marineland Mallorca offering young people the opportunity to participate in animal care and work-related activities under professional supervision.