🌴 Loro Parque as a Tropical Garden
At Loro Parque, it is easy to focus entirely on the animals and overlook something equally extraordinary – the plants. Towering palms, spreading ferns, bamboo and climbing plants can make you feel as though you are walking through a tropical forest. Plants that we grow in pots in Poland reach the size of small trees here. That is why it is worth occasionally looking away from the animal enclosures and noticing what is growing above your head.
🌿 Why Do Plants Grow So Luxuriantly Here?
Loro Parque is located in Puerto de la Cruz, on the northern coast of Tenerife. This part of the island is considerably greener than the dry south. Moist air carried by the trade winds plays an important role, as does the mild climate, which has none of the winter frosts typical of Central Europe.
As a result, many plants native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world can grow outdoors here. However, this does not mean that northern Tenerife is a true tropical rainforest. The lush vegetation at Loro Parque is also the result of years of work by gardeners, irrigation and careful selection of plant species.
As you walk along the paths, you are therefore not seeing a natural section of Canarian forest, but a garden where plants from different continents come together to create a tropical landscape.
🌴 Palms – Much More Than Decoration
Palms are among the most distinctive features of Loro Parque's landscape. Their tall trunks and enormous leaves form natural canopies over the paths.
It is worth looking at the differences between individual species. Some have feather-like leaves resembling enormous plumes, while others have fan-shaped leaves spreading out from a single point.
Palms are often thought of as trees, but their structure differs considerably from that of typical broadleaf trees. Most do not produce wood and annual growth rings in the same way as oaks or pines. Their trunks have a different internal structure, characteristic of monocotyledonous plants.
Interestingly, some palms develop a single tall trunk, while others grow in dense clumps. Not all of them produce edible fruit, either.
🌱 Monsteras, Philodendrons and Other Giants
If you have a monstera or philodendron at home, Loro Parque offers a chance to see similar plants from a completely different perspective.
Indoors, a monstera often grows against a support, with leaves reaching several dozen centimetres across. In a favourable climate, it can climb tree trunks, develop long aerial roots and produce much larger leaves.
The characteristic holes and splits in monstera leaves are not signs of damage. They develop naturally as the leaf grows. Scientists have proposed various explanations for their function, including allowing light to reach the lower parts of the plant and letting wind and rain pass through.
Philodendrons are equally fascinating. In their natural habitats, many species use trees as supports, climbing towards the light. However, they are not parasites – they do not take nutrients from the trees they climb.
🌺 Flowers That Attract More Than Just Our Attention
In a tropical garden, flower colours are not accidental. In nature, they help attract animals that carry pollen.
Some plants produce intensely red or orange flowers, which can be particularly attractive to nectar-feeding birds. Others attract insects through their scent or the shape of their flowers.
It is worth remembering that what appears at first glance to be one enormous flower may actually be an entire inflorescence made up of many tiny flowers. This is the case with numerous members of the arum family, which also includes monsteras and philodendrons.
🌳 Plants That Create Their Own Microclimate
The dense vegetation at Loro Parque serves more than a decorative purpose. Large leaves intercept some of the sun's rays, provide shade and help prevent the paths from becoming excessively hot.
Plants also release water into the atmosphere through transpiration. Combined with shade, this can make the space beneath the tree canopy feel noticeably cooler than areas exposed to direct sunlight.
For animals, vegetation can provide shelter, resting places and a more varied environment. However, it is important to remember that greenery alone is not enough to create a suitable habitat for every species. Space, climatic conditions and opportunities to engage in natural behaviours are also essential.
💡 Did You Know That Not Every Tropical Plant Likes Full Sun?
Many popular houseplants originate from the lower levels of humid forests, where sunlight filters through the crowns of tall trees. That is why monsteras and some philodendrons grow better in bright, indirect light than in intense, direct sunshine.
This is one reason why a tropical garden can be so densely planted. Plants occupy different levels – from low-growing ferns to tall palms – and make use of light reaching them at different intensities.
👀 Look Closely
As you walk through Loro Parque, pay attention not only to the flowers, but also to the leaves, trunks and roots. Notice how climbing plants make their way up supports, how enormous leaves create shade and how many different shapes palms can take.
I particularly recommend looking upwards. That is often where you will find the most fascinating plant structures – spreading crowns, dangling aerial roots and leaves that look like enormous green umbrellas when viewed from the paths below.
For me, one of Loro Parque's greatest charms is the opportunity to see plants familiar from our homes on an entirely different scale. It is a wonderful reminder that a small pot on a windowsill often contains a plant capable of becoming a true giant under the right conditions.
🧭 How to Explore Loro Parque Without Spending the Day in Queues
Loro Parque is a place where you can spend almost an entire day and still leave feeling that you have missed something. The problem is not just the size of the park. Moving between attractions, waiting for animal presentations and returning to places you passed earlier can take up a surprising amount of time. That is why it is worth planning your visit, although not necessarily down to the last minute.
🎟️ Buy Your Ticket in Advance
If you have already decided which day you want to visit, consider buying your ticket online. This will help you avoid queuing at the ticket office, although it does not automatically guarantee queue-free entry. When the park is busy, you may still have to wait for ticket checks at the entrance.
Before buying, check the ticket conditions, particularly the rules for changing your visit date. The weather in northern Tenerife can be unpredictable, so having the option to postpone your visit may be useful.
🌅 Arrive as Early as Possible
Ideally, plan to arrive at the beginning of the day. This will give you more time to observe the animals at a relaxed pace and make it easier to organise your visit around the presentations.
Arriving early also gives you the chance to spend time at the enclosures without constantly checking your watch. And it is often during these quieter moments that you can observe the most interesting animal behaviours – not necessarily those planned for the audience.
🗺️ The Map and Presentation Times – Two Essentials Before You Start
Pick up an up-to-date park map with the presentation timetable at the entrance. Before setting off, spend a few minutes checking where the main attractions are located.
First, mark the presentations you want to see. Then plan to explore the other parts of the park between them. This way, you will not have to keep walking from one end of the grounds to the other.
Sea lion, dolphin, parrot and orca shows usually last around 20 minutes. Remember, however, to allow extra time to find a seat before each presentation and walk to the next attraction.
🐧 Visit the Most Popular Attractions While Others Are Watching Shows
Planet Penguin, the aquarium with its shark tunnel and AquaViva with its jellyfish attract large numbers of visitors. In these areas, the biggest inconvenience is often not the queue itself, but the crowds gathering in front of the viewing windows.
A good option may be to explore these attractions during one of the popular presentations. Some visitors will be watching the shows, so other parts of the park may be quieter.
Of course, this does not guarantee empty paths, but it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity, especially if you are not planning to attend every show.
🚶 Explore One Area at a Time to Avoid Unnecessary Walking
Loro Parque is large enough that it is not worth crossing it several times in search of attractions you missed. The best approach is to divide your visit into sections and explore enclosures and pavilions that are close to one another. This will save both time and energy.
The biggest challenge is combining a walk around the park with the scheduled animal presentations. That is why it is best to check the timetable first and then plan a route that avoids unnecessary backtracking.
This does not mean you need to rush everywhere. At some enclosures, it is worth stopping for a few minutes. An animal that initially appears to be resting may soon start moving around, eating or interacting with others.
The most important thing is to plan your day well – so that you can see as much as possible without turning your visit into a race against the clock.
🍽️ Plan Your Meal Break Before It Gets Busy
Loro Parque has restaurants, bars and other places to eat. The busiest period is likely to be around the usual lunchtime hours.
If possible, eat a little earlier or later. It is also worth carrying some water, particularly on warm days. Even when the sky over Puerto de la Cruz is cloudy, several hours of walking can be tiring.
🚂 How Can You Get to the Park Without Looking for Parking?
If you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz, you can use the free Loro Parque Express tourist train. It departs from the area around Plaza de los Reyes Católicos and takes visitors to the park. It is a convenient alternative to driving, although when demand is high, you may have to wait for the next departure.
You can also reach Loro Parque by car or bus, including from the southern part of Tenerife. There is a paid car park next to the park.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Matter More Than Smart Clothes
Although Loro Parque is a zoo rather than a mountain trail, you will cover quite a few kilometres during the day. Comfortable footwear is therefore the best choice.
Sunglasses, a hat and a light extra layer of clothing may also come in handy if the weather turns cooler. Northern Tenerife can surprise visitors with changes in cloud cover and temperature.
🚶 Explore at Your Own Pace
One of the biggest mistakes you can make at Loro Parque is trying to see absolutely everything at any cost. When you do that, it is easy to overlook the smaller details – animal behaviour, unusual plants or interesting information displayed beside the enclosures.
Take the time to stop and watch. Observe how the animals communicate with one another, rest or respond to their surroundings.
You do not need to attend every presentation to get to know Loro Parque. Sometimes you can learn more from quietly observing an animal than from watching the most spectacular show.
For up-to-date information about opening hours, presentations, transport and visitor facilities, see the official Loro Parque website – Plan Your Visit.
👀 Don't Miss
Loro Parque is famous for its spectacular animal presentations, but not all its most fascinating attractions are found in the show arenas. It is also worth paying attention to the places and details that are easy to overlook when moving from one presentation to another.
🐧 Penguins Behind the Glass – At Planet Penguin, don't limit yourself to watching the birds standing on the snow. See how they move underwater. On land, they may seem clumsy, but when swimming, their wings act like flippers, while their streamlined bodies allow them to make lightning-fast turns.
🦈 Sharks Above Your Head – As you walk through the aquarium's underwater tunnel, look up at the animals swimming overhead. From this perspective, it is easier to see their distinctive silhouettes, the position of their fins and the way they move their tails. Also notice the gill slits on either side of their heads.
🪼 Jellyfish in Motion – Stop for a moment beside the jellyfish tanks. Watch the rhythmic contractions of their bells and their delicate oral arms moving through the water. These animals have neither a brain nor a heart, yet they can respond to stimuli and capture food.
🦜 Birds Just Above Your Head – At Katandra Treetops, don't just look straight ahead. Look up at the branches, ropes and higher levels of vegetation. Some birds are easier to hear than to see, and their colours can blend remarkably well into their surroundings.
🦍 Gorillas When No One Is Rushing Them – Instead of waiting only for a spectacular movement, spend some time observing their quieter behaviour. Notice how they sit, grasp food, make eye contact and interact with one another. Even seemingly ordinary activities can reveal a great deal about these animals.
🐅 A Pattern That Never Repeats – At the tiger enclosure, take a closer look at their stripes. Every individual has a unique pattern, just as every person has their own fingerprints. With jaguars, notice the rosettes – dark rings that often contain additional spots in the centre.
🦇 Bats at La Gruta – Give your eyes a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. Try to spot the animals resting upside down and take a closer look at the structure of their wings. These are not feather-covered wings like those of birds, but membranes stretched between extraordinarily elongated fingers.
🌴 Plants Bigger Than You Imagined – Do you recognise a monstera, philodendron or fern similar to one you have at home? Look at the size these plants can reach in the garden. Notice the enormous leaves, aerial roots and climbing plants making their way up tree trunks.
🐬 The Moments Between Jumps – During the dolphin and sea lion presentations, watch more than just the tasks being performed. Notice how the animals respond to their trainers' gestures, how they receive rewards and how they behave between exercises.
🐋 An Orca's Real Eyes – The distinctive white patches on an orca's head can look like enormous eyes. In reality, an orca's eyes are much smaller and are positioned below these patches, on either side of its head. Try to spot them during a presentation.
📸 And One More Thing – Don't experience the whole of Loro Parque through your phone screen. Take photos, record a few short videos, but also make time simply to watch. Some animal behaviours last only a few seconds, and the most fascinating details are often noticed when nothing is distracting your attention.
Explore Loro Parque with curiosity, not just a camera. Because the greatest attraction is not always the most spectacular one – sometimes it is a tiny detail that helps you better understand the animal you are watching.
⚖️ Do Animals Participate in Shows Voluntarily?
This question does not have as simple an answer as it might seem.
If an animal performs a task in exchange for a reward, it does not automatically mean that it is being forced to do so. However, the use of rewards alone is not enough to consider training entirely voluntary.
What matters, among other things, is whether the animal can refuse to participate, move away from the trainer, rest or choose another activity without negative consequences. Its living conditions outside the shows, feeding arrangements and relationships with other animals are also important.
This is precisely why animal welfare cannot be assessed solely by watching a performance lasting just a few minutes. An animal may be perfectly capable of performing learned tasks while still having other needs that are not being met.
🎓 Education or Entertainment – Where Is the Line?
A show can spark public interest in animals that most people will never encounter in their natural habitats. It can also provide information about their anatomy, behaviour and the threats they face.
However, not every presentation is automatically educational. If visitors remember mainly a spectacular jump or an amusing trick, they may learn very little about the animal's real life.
It is therefore worth asking yourself a few questions. Does the presenter explain why the animal performs a particular movement? Do they talk about its natural habitat? Do they describe the threats facing the species and the ways it can be protected? Or is the main emphasis on entertaining the audience?
A good educational programme should leave visitors not only impressed, but also better informed and with a greater understanding of animals' needs.
👀 Look Closely
During a presentation, try spending a moment watching the trainer rather than the animal performing a trick. Observe the gestures, signals and the moment when a reward is given. Notice how even the smallest human movements can produce remarkably precise responses.
Also pay attention to the animals' behaviour between tasks. Do they remain close to the trainer? Do they interact with one another? Are they able to move around freely?
However, do not try to judge how they are feeling based on a single gesture or a brief observation. Animal behaviour can be complex, and interpreting it correctly requires knowledge of the species and a broader understanding of the circumstances.
There are two ways to watch the shows at Loro Parque: as entertainment or as an opportunity to discover the extraordinary abilities of animals. The second approach requires more attention, but it allows you to notice far more than just the final result of a learned exercise.
🌍 Can a Zoo Save Species from Extinction?
Just a few decades ago, zoos were primarily associated with places where visitors could see exotic animals. Today, many also run breeding programmes, fund scientific research and support the conservation of endangered species in their natural habitats. Loro Parque is one of the parks that places particular emphasis on this aspect of its work. But can breeding animals in a zoo really save a species from extinction?
🦜 The Foundation That Started with Parrots
Loro Parque Fundación was established in 1994 as a conservation organisation with a particular focus on parrots. Its work extends far beyond Tenerife. The foundation supports research and conservation projects in different parts of the world, including South America, Asia and Africa.
Why parrots in particular? Many species are threatened by deforestation, illegal trapping and the wildlife trade. Taking chicks from their nests is especially damaging. Even if some survive the journey and end up with private breeders, wild populations lose another generation.
Among other activities, the foundation supports the protection of nesting sites, monitoring of wild populations, anti-poaching initiatives and education within local communities.
💚 The Spix's Macaw – A Bird That Almost Disappeared from Brazil's Skies
One of the most extraordinary examples is the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), also known as the little blue macaw. This blue bird is native to Brazil, where it inhabited gallery forests in the dry Caatinga region.
For decades, its population declined as a result of habitat destruction and the capture of wild birds. The last known individual in the wild disappeared in 2000, and the species was declared extinct in the wild.
However, the Spix's macaw survived in captivity. Thanks to international cooperation, it became possible to breed the birds and prepare a programme to reintroduce them to Brazil. In 2022, the first captive-bred macaws were released into the wild.
Loro Parque Fundación participated in efforts to protect the species, including breeding programmes. However, it was not the only organisation involved in its conservation.
This is an example of how breeding outside a species' natural habitat helped prevent its complete extinction. But returning the birds to the wild required far more than breeding alone. Their habitat also had to be protected, the animals prepared for release and long-term conservation measures put in place.
🌴 The Parrot Whose Survival Depends on a Single Type of Palm
Even more fascinating is the story of the yellow-eared parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis), which lives in the Colombian Andes. In the late 1990s, only around 80 individuals were found there. The species was on the brink of extinction.
Hunting was not the only problem. These parrots depend heavily on tall wax palms, which provide nesting sites. Meanwhile, palm leaves were traditionally used during Palm Sunday celebrations, and the trees were also cut down for other purposes.
Protecting the parrots therefore required changes in human behaviour. Conservation organisations began working with local communities and the Church, running educational campaigns, protecting the palms and installing artificial nesting sites.
Loro Parque Fundación supported these efforts financially and organisationally, working with partners including Colombia's Fundación ProAves.
The results were impressive. The population began to recover, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature lowered the species' threat category from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable.
This is an example of protecting a species without having to place all the surviving birds in aviaries. The most important achievement was preserving the habitat where they could live and breed in the wild.
💙 Lear's Macaw – From Tenerife Back to Brazil
Another example is Lear's macaw (Anodorhynchus leari), an exceptionally rare blue parrot native to north-eastern Brazil.
In 2006, two pairs of these birds arrived at Loro Parque Fundación. The breeding programme proved successful, and over time more than 40 chicks hatched on Tenerife.
Some of the birds were subsequently transferred to Brazil as part of a population recovery programme. In 2022, the foundation announced a particularly important development: a chick had hatched in the wild to a pair of macaws that had themselves been born and raised under human care.
This represents much more than simply releasing a bird from an aviary. It means that the animals were able to adapt to their natural environment and begin breeding there.
🧬 Why Is Breeding an Endangered Animal Not Enough?
Imagine that only a few dozen individuals of a particular species remain in the world. If they are all closely related, their offspring may inherit harmful genetic traits, making the population more vulnerable to disease.
This is why breeding programmes require careful planning. Specialists analyse the animals' ancestry, select breeding pairs and try to preserve as much genetic diversity as possible.
However, even healthy and numerous offspring will not solve the problem if suitable habitat is still unavailable in the wild. Released animals need places where they can find food, reproduce and raise their young safely.
This is precisely why modern conservation combines two approaches: ex situ, meaning outside a species' natural habitat, and in situ – directly within the areas where the species occurs.
🌍 How Many Species Has the Foundation Helped Save?
Loro Parque Fundación currently lists 18 species on its website that it has helped protect from extinction. These include Lear's macaw, the yellow-eared parrot, the echo parakeet and endangered species native to the Canary Islands.
However, such figures need to be understood in context. 'Saving a species' does not mean that it is no longer endangered or that all the credit belongs to a single organisation. In many cases, it means halting a population decline, improving a species' conservation status or creating conditions that allow its population to recover further.
The most significant results are usually achieved through years of cooperation between scientists, conservation organisations, authorities and the people living in regions where endangered animals are found.
⚖️ Does Conservation Work Resolve All Concerns About Zoos?
No. Successes in parrot conservation are genuine achievements, but they do not automatically mean that every species should be kept in captivity.
It is important to distinguish between breeding programmes designed to restore endangered populations and keeping animals primarily for public display. Each case requires an individual assessment that considers both the benefits for species conservation and the welfare of the animals themselves.
It is therefore possible to appreciate the work of Loro Parque Fundación while also critically examining the conditions in which certain animals are kept within the park.
👀 Look Closely
As you explore Loro Parque, remember that the story of species conservation does not end with the animals you see behind glass or inside an aviary. Some of the foundation's most important work takes place thousands of kilometres from Tenerife – in Brazilian forests, the Colombian Andes and places that tourists rarely reach.
It is worth finding out not only how rare a species is, but also what threatens its survival and which specific conservation measures are helping to protect it.
Because the true success of conservation is not simply keeping a species alive in a zoo. It is creating the conditions in which that species can continue to survive in the wild.
🎭 Animal Shows – What Can We Learn, and What Questions Do They Raise?
Animal shows are among the best-known attractions at Loro Parque. Dolphins leap out of the water, sea lions respond to their trainers' gestures, and parrots demonstrate abilities that can surprise even adults. The audience applauds, the animals receive rewards, and the presenters explain their extraordinary skills. But have you ever wondered how an animal knows what it is supposed to do, and why it follows human instructions in the first place?
🎯 How Does an Animal Learn to Follow Instructions?
Modern animal training in zoological parks is usually based on positive reinforcement. This means that when an animal performs a desired behaviour, it receives something it finds rewarding – such as food, a toy or the opportunity to take part in a favourite activity.
Imagine a dolphin that accidentally touches a designated object with its snout. The trainer rewards the action. After several repetitions, the animal begins to understand the connection between its behaviour and the reward. Gradually, it can be taught more complicated tasks by combining simple actions into complete sequences.
Training also uses signals that tell the animal it has just performed a task correctly. This might be the sound of a whistle or another previously learned signal. As a result, the reward does not have to be given at the exact moment the movement is performed.
This does not mean, however, that every behaviour seen during a show is natural. Jumps, spins and fin movements may resemble actions performed in the wild, but carrying them out in response to a particular signal is the result of training.
🦭 Sea Lions – Masters of Learning
Sea lions can remember numerous signals, distinguish between objects and learn complicated sequences of movements. Their agility in the water is impressive, but their behaviour on land is equally fascinating.
During a presentation, notice how they move using their front flippers. Unlike true seals, sea lions can bring their hind flippers underneath their bodies, allowing them to move much more efficiently on land. This is why they can climb onto platforms and change direction so quickly.
Sea lions also have excellent hearing and are highly social animals. In the wild, they communicate through distinctive vocalisations, and females can recognise the calls of their own pups among the sounds of a large colony.
A presentation therefore reveals not only the results of training, but also their natural agility, ability to learn and skill in recognising signals.
🦜 Parrots – Do They Really Understand What They Are Doing?
Parrot shows have a special significance at Loro Parque because the park's history began with these very birds.
Parrots can imitate sounds, remember sequences of actions and solve tasks that require them to make connections between different pieces of information. Some species can also distinguish between colours, shapes and different numbers of objects.
When a parrot performs a particular task, it does not necessarily mean that it understands the task in the same way a human would. However, it may be using its memory, experience and ability to associate signals with the required action.
It is also worth remembering that parrots are extremely active and social animals. In the wild, many species travel considerable distances in search of food, while some form lasting pairs and maintain contact with other birds through vocal communication.
💡 Did You Know That Training Can Also Help Vets?
Not all learned behaviours are intended for entertainment. Medical training allows animals to cooperate voluntarily during examinations and routine care.
A dolphin can learn to remain in a particular position for a short time so that a vet can carry out an examination. A sea lion may allow its flipper to be inspected, while a parrot can be taught to step onto a weighing scale without having to be caught and handled.
Such behaviours can reduce the stress associated with veterinary procedures and lessen the need for restraint. This is one of the most practical examples of how animals' ability to learn can be used for their own benefit.
⚖️ Orcas in Captivity – Why Are They So Controversial?
An orca rising out of the water just metres from an audience is an impressive sight. Its size, strength and precision of movement inspire awe. Yet these very qualities are also what raise so many questions about keeping orcas in zoological parks. Can an animal that travels across vast stretches of ocean in the wild and lives in a closely bonded family be provided with suitable conditions in a pool?
The debate about orcas in captivity is not simply about performances. Above all, it concerns their health, social needs, ability to engage in natural behaviours and whether the educational and scientific benefits justify keeping these animals away from the ocean.
🌊 An Ocean That Cannot Be Recreated in a Pool
In the wild, orcas may travel dozens of kilometres a day, dive, hunt and maintain contact with members of their group over considerable distances. Their activity depends on food availability, the season and the habits of their particular population.
No pool can reproduce the vastness of the ocean or the full range of experiences that life in the wild provides. Even large enclosures restrict an orca's ability to travel long distances, choose where to spend its time and avoid unwanted contact with other individuals.
For critics of keeping orcas in captivity, this is a fundamental argument: the problem is not necessarily just the size of the pool, but also the restriction of the animals' freedom to make choices.
👪 What Happens to Family Bonds?
In the previous section, we explored orca families in which offspring may remain with their mothers throughout their lives. These relationships are enormously important because young orcas learn hunting techniques, communication and social behaviour from older members of their group.
In zoological parks, group composition does not always reflect natural family structures. Animals may come from different populations, and their relationships can be shaped by breeding decisions and the way their care is organised.
This does not mean that orcas in captivity are unable to form bonds. They can. However, they do not have the same freedom to choose their companions or move away from an individual with whom they are in conflict.
For animals with such complex social lives, this is particularly significant.
🩺 Orca Health – What Do Observations and Research Tell Us?
One of the most frequently discussed concerns is dental health. Some orcas kept in zoological parks have been observed with severely worn or damaged teeth, sometimes associated with biting hard surfaces within their enclosures. Such injuries may require regular veterinary treatment.
Another issue that attracts considerable attention is the collapse of the dorsal fin, particularly in adult males. This occurs frequently in captivity, although it can also be observed in wild orcas. The appearance of the fin alone cannot, therefore, provide a definitive assessment of an individual animal's health.
The question of lifespan is more complicated. Earlier studies suggested significant differences between the survival rates of captive and wild orcas. More recent analyses take improvements in veterinary care and living conditions into account, and their findings vary depending on the methods used and the populations studied.
It would therefore be misleading to claim either that all captive orcas live shorter lives or that modern care has completely resolved concerns about their welfare. Lifespan is an important indicator, but it does not tell us everything about quality of life.
⚠️ Tragedy at Orca Ocean – The Death of Trainer Alexis Martínez
The history of Loro Parque also includes a tragic chapter that cannot be overlooked when discussing orcas in captivity.
On 24 December 2009, during a training session before a show, 29-year-old Alexis Martínez was working in a pool with a male orca named Keto. The animal dragged the trainer underwater and struck him in the chest. Martínez died from severe internal injuries.
Initial reports following the incident suggested that he had drowned. Later findings, however, established that his death resulted from injuries inflicted by the orca. The circumstances of the incident were also described in documents produced by the American occupational safety authorities, as Keto belonged to SeaWorld at the time.
The tragedy raised questions not only about trainer safety, but also about whether direct human contact with such powerful predators was justified. Two months later, at SeaWorld in Florida, another orca, Tilikum, killed trainer Dawn Brancheau. Both incidents became significant moments in the international debate about orca performances.
However, a single incident cannot tell us exactly what an animal was feeling or why it reacted in a particular way. What we do know is that even an orca accustomed to human contact remains a large, powerful and potentially dangerous predator.
🐋 Morgan – Rescued or Deprived of Her Freedom?
Morgan's story, which we explored in the previous section, clearly illustrates how differently the same situation can be viewed.
Loro Parque emphasises that Morgan was rescued in a state of severe exhaustion and that her hearing problems, together with the inability to locate her family, would have made a return to the ocean exceptionally risky. The park also points to the specialist veterinary care she receives, her adapted communication system and the opportunity to live alongside other orcas.
Organisations campaigning for Morgan's release, on the other hand, have challenged the decision to keep her permanently at the park. They have raised concerns about her welfare, living conditions and the possibility of alternative arrangements, including care in a marine environment.
The dispute reached the courts in the Netherlands. The decision to keep Morgan in human care was upheld, but the legal ruling did not end the ethical debate about what living conditions would be best for her.
🛡️ How Does Loro Parque Respond to the Criticism?
The park's management strongly rejects claims that its orcas are routinely subjected to suffering. It emphasises the importance of regular veterinary examinations, appropriate nutrition, behavioural care and research programmes.
Loro Parque also argues that some behaviours regarded by critics as signs of poor welfare, such as tooth marks on the skin, also occur in wild orca populations. The park additionally cites research into the survival rates of animals living under human care.
Not all these arguments convince researchers who are critical of captivity. In scientific publications, they point to spatial restrictions, chronic stress, dental damage and difficulties in meeting the animals' social needs. A study published in 2017 documented serious dental problems in some of the captive orcas examined.
Both sides therefore refer to science, but they often interpret research findings differently and have different views on the conditions necessary to provide these animals with a good quality of life.
⚖️ Does Rescuing Animals Justify Keeping Them in Captivity?
This is probably the most difficult question of all. Zoological parks can provide a refuge for animals that are unable to survive independently in the wild. They can also carry out research and educational activities.
However, rescuing an individual animal does not automatically settle whether it should spend the rest of its life in a pool, or whether further generations of orcas should be bred in captivity.
The debate also includes the idea of coastal sanctuaries – designated areas of natural seawater where animals would remain under human care but have more space and contact with the marine environment. Such arrangements also have limitations: they require suitable conditions, expensive infrastructure, continuous care and an individual assessment of each animal's needs.
👀 Before You Decide What You Think
During your visit to Orca Ocean, you will see animals whose intelligence, strength and abilities are genuinely impressive. It is worth remembering, however, that a presentation lasting just a few minutes reveals only a small part of their lives.
You can admire orcas, appreciate the work of their keepers and, at the same time, question whether such complex animals should live in captivity. These attitudes do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Above all, it is important not to mistake spectacular behaviour for proof of good welfare – or a single troubling observation for a complete assessment of an animal's condition. A responsible judgement requires knowledge, long-term observation and a willingness to consider the arguments from different perspectives.
🐬 Dolphins – Intelligence Beneath the Surface
Dolphins can leap high above the water, perform complicated twists and respond to almost imperceptible gestures from their trainers. During presentations at Loro Parque, everything looks as though the animals understand exactly what people expect of them. But behind these spectacular abilities lies something far more fascinating – intelligence, memory and an extraordinarily complex social life.
🧠 Intelligence That Does Not Need Words
Dolphins are among the most extensively studied marine mammals when it comes to cognitive abilities. They can learn new behaviours, remember complex sequences of actions and solve problems. Research has also shown that some dolphins understand the importance of the order in which signals are given – they can distinguish between instructions involving two objects depending on which one is indicated first.
Their ability to imitate is particularly interesting. A dolphin can learn a new movement by watching another individual. Some can also repeat their own previous behaviour when given an appropriate signal. This requires memory and the ability to recognise what they have just done.
🔊 Every Dolphin Has Its Own Signature Whistle
Underwater, sound travels much more effectively than light, which is why hearing is one of the most important senses for dolphins. They communicate through whistles, squeaks and other sounds, as well as gestures and physical contact.
Researchers have discovered something extraordinary in bottlenose dolphins – so-called signature whistles. Each individual develops a distinctive whistle pattern that serves as a personal identification signal. Other dolphins can imitate it, for example when attempting to make contact with a particular individual.
You could compare this to calling someone by name, although it does not mean that dolphins use language in the same way humans do.
Dolphins also use echolocation. They emit a series of short clicks and then analyse the returning echoes. This allows them to detect fish, determine their position and navigate underwater even when visibility is very poor.
🤝 Life in a Group – Friendships, Alliances and Conflicts
Dolphins do not form random groups. Their social relationships can be remarkably complex. In the wild, the composition of groups may change, while individual animals maintain long-lasting bonds with particular companions.
The behaviour of bottlenose dolphins living off the coast of Australia has been particularly well studied. Males there form alliances that can last for many years. They cooperate with one another, but also compete with other groups.
Females and their calves also develop strong bonds. A young dolphin stays with its mother for several years, learning how to find food, recognise dangers and navigate the complexities of group life.
This does not mean, however, that dolphins are always gentle and friendly. Aggression, conflict and rivalry are also part of their world. Intelligence does not mean they are free from instincts – it helps them function more effectively in a complex social environment.
🎭 What Are We Actually Watching During a Presentation?
When a dolphin leaps out of the water, twists in the air or touches a designated object, we are seeing the result of a learning process. Trainers primarily use positive reinforcement – the animal receives a reward for performing a particular behaviour. This might be a fish, a toy, interaction with a trainer or another activity it finds rewarding.
Many of the movements demonstrated during shows have equivalents in the wild. Dolphins leap out of the water, slap their tails against the surface, chase one another and make sudden turns. However, we do not always know the precise purpose of these behaviours in their natural environment. They may be connected with communication, play, movement or hunting.
During presentations, these natural abilities are combined with learned responses to human signals. The fact that a dolphin can perform a complicated task demonstrates its ability to learn, but does not in itself prove that it enjoys performing in front of an audience. Assessing its welfare requires much broader observation of its behaviour and health.
💤 Can a Dolphin Sleep and Still Breathe?
Dolphins breathe atmospheric air, so they must regularly return to the surface. They cannot, therefore, fall asleep in quite the same way as humans.
When resting, they can use unihemispheric sleep – one half of the brain remains more active while the other rests. This allows the animal to maintain control over its breathing and respond to its surroundings. Sometimes one eye remains open while the other is closed.
This extraordinary adaptation allows dolphins to rest without completely losing contact with the world around them.
👀 Look Closely
During a presentation at Loro Parque, try watching more than just the highest jumps. Pay attention to what happens between the exercises. Notice how the dolphins respond to their trainers' gestures, how they move in relation to one another and how precisely they can synchronise their movements.
Also look for the blowhole on top of the head. Unlike humans, dolphins do not breathe through their mouths. A brief moment at the surface is enough for them to take a breath before diving again.
🐋 Orcas – Predators with an Extraordinary Culture
Their black-and-white bodies, distinctive dorsal fins and enormous strength make orcas almost impossible to mistake for any other ocean animal. During presentations at Loro Parque, you can watch these powerful creatures rise out of the water, perform spectacular jumps and respond to signals from their trainers. Yet the most extraordinary thing about orcas is not their size or swimming ability. It is the way they live, communicate and pass knowledge down through generations.
🐬 Whale or Dolphin?
Although orcas are often called killer whales, they actually belong to the dolphin family. They are its largest members. Adult males can reach around 8–9 metres in length and weigh several tonnes, while their dorsal fins can grow up to 1.8 metres tall. Females are generally smaller.
Orcas are found in every ocean, from polar waters to the tropics. This does not mean, however, that they live in the same way everywhere. Different populations vary in their diets, behaviour, hunting techniques and even the sounds they make.
Interestingly, not all orcas hunt seals, penguins or other marine mammals. Some populations specialise almost entirely in catching fish, while others hunt marine mammals. Orcas living in the same area may not mix with one another or rely on the same food sources.
👵 The Grandmother Who Knows Where to Find Food
In many orca populations, social life revolves around a family group centred on the mother. Adult offspring may remain with her throughout their lives, even after reaching sexual maturity.
Older females play a particularly important role. Orcas are among the few mammals that experience menopause. A female may stop reproducing and then live for many more years.
Why is this so important? Research on salmon-eating orca populations in the North Pacific has shown that older females often lead their groups in the search for food, particularly when fish are scarce. They remember the places and conditions that have helped them find food in the past.
A grandmother's experience can therefore increase the entire family's chances of survival. It is one of the most fascinating examples of the importance of older individuals in the animal world.
🔊 Family Dialects – Orcas Recognise Their Relatives by Sound
Underwater, orcas communicate using whistles, clicks and distinctive pulsed calls. Some groups have their own repertoire of sounds, which can be compared to a family dialect.
Young orcas learn these sounds from older individuals. As a result, particular vocal patterns can be passed down through generations. What is more, groups living in the same area may use different sets of calls.
This is not language in the human sense, but it is evidence of behaviours learned socially rather than determined solely by genes.
Orcas also use echolocation, like other members of the dolphin family. They emit series of clicks and analyse the returning echoes to navigate their surroundings and locate prey. However, the way they use sound depends on what they hunt. Orcas that feed on marine mammals often remain quieter as they approach their prey, because the animals they hunt also have excellent underwater hearing.
🌊 Hunting Techniques That Must Be Learned
Orcas are apex predators, but there is no single hunting technique shared by all populations. Different groups have developed astonishingly varied strategies.
Off the coast of Antarctica, researchers have observed orcas working together to create waves powerful enough to wash a seal off an ice floe. In Norway, some groups herd herring into tightly packed shoals before stunning them with blows from their tails. Off the coast of Patagonia, certain orcas deliberately beach themselves to catch young sea lions before returning to the water.
This last technique is particularly risky. Not every orca can perform it. Youngsters watch the adults and gradually learn the right timing, speed and technique for returning safely to the ocean.
This is precisely why scientists speak of orca culture. Knowledge of hunting techniques, communication patterns and social behaviours can be passed between generations through learning and imitation.
🐋 Morgan – The Orca Who Cannot Hear the Ocean
Among the orcas associated with Loro Parque, Morgan has a particularly remarkable story. In June 2010, she was found off the coast of the Netherlands. She was alone, extremely weak and severely malnourished. She was taken to a rehabilitation centre, where she regained her strength, and in 2011 she was transferred to Tenerife.
Only later did it become clear that Morgan had a serious hearing impairment. Tests carried out by specialists showed that, unlike the other orcas examined, no brain responses to the sound signals presented during testing could be detected in her. Further examinations confirmed profound hearing loss, which the park describes as deafness.
For an animal whose life in the ocean depends so heavily on sound, this is an enormous limitation. Orcas use their hearing not only when hunting, but also to maintain contact with their families.
Morgan's keepers therefore developed a special communication system using light signals and gestures, allowing them to communicate with her without relying on sound. It is an interesting example of how orcas' ability to learn can be used to adapt their care to the needs of an individual animal.
Morgan's story has another chapter. In 2018, she gave birth to a daughter, Ula, and in 2025 she had another calf. Her circumstances have also been the subject of a long-running dispute over whether she could return to the ocean and whether keeping orcas in captivity is justified.
👀 Look Closely
During a presentation at Orca Ocean, pay attention to more than just the powerful jumps. Watch how the orcas lift their heads out of the water, turn their bodies, move their pectoral fins and respond to their trainers' signals. Try to spot the differences between individual animals – their size, the shape of their dorsal fins and the white patches behind their eyes.
These distinctive patches are not their eyes. An orca's actual eyes are positioned slightly lower and further forwards, on either side of its head.
And when you see an orca performing a complicated task, think about the families living in the open ocean. About mothers teaching their young to hunt, grandmothers leading their groups to feeding grounds and calls recognised across generations.
It is these bonds and abilities, invisible during a show, that make orcas so extraordinary.
🦇 La Gruta – The Mysterious World of Bats
Echolocation, nocturnal life and debunking myths.
For centuries, bats have inspired a mixture of fascination and unease. They appear after dark, fly almost silently and hang upside down when resting. It is hardly surprising that they have become the subjects of legends about vampires and creatures inhabiting dark caves. Yet bats are among the most extraordinary mammals on Earth, and their real abilities are far more fascinating than the supernatural powers attributed to them.
🌙 Why Do Bats Choose the Night?
Nocturnal life has its advantages. After dark, many insects become active, allowing bats to hunt them while avoiding some daytime predators. Not all species follow exactly the same routine, however. Some begin feeding at dusk, while certain large fruit bats can also be seen during the day.
Bats are not birds. They are mammals that give birth to live young and feed them milk. They are the only mammals capable of sustained, powered flight. Their wings consist of a thin, flexible membrane stretched between extraordinarily elongated fingers. This allows them to change direction in an instant, slow down and perform precise manoeuvres.
🔊 Echolocation – How Can You See the World Through Sound?
Imagine finding yourself in complete darkness. You cannot see a wall, a branch or an insect flying a few metres away. Yet a bat can detect such obstacles using sound.
Many species emit short ultrasonic calls that are inaudible to the human ear. The sound waves bounce off surrounding objects and return to the animal as echoes. By analysing how long the echoes take to return and their characteristics, the bat can determine the distance, position and even movement of potential prey.
The closer it gets to its target, the more frequently it may emit these calls. During the final stage of a hunt, some species produce them in rapid bursts, allowing them to track a moving insect with extraordinary precision.
This does not mean, however, that all bats use echolocation in the same way. Many large fruit-eating species rely primarily on sight and smell.
👀 Are Bats Really Blind?
No! This is one of the most widespread myths about bats. They can see, and in some species, vision plays a very important role in finding food and navigating their surroundings.
Echolocation does not, therefore, completely replace their eyes. It is an additional sense that allows many bats to function remarkably effectively, even when there is very little light.
🙃 Why Do They Sleep Upside Down?
Hanging from a cave ceiling or a branch may look uncomfortable, but for a bat it is perfectly natural. The special structure of its tendons and claws means that its own body weight helps keep its feet securely gripping the surface. The animal does not have to constantly tense its muscles to avoid falling.
This position also makes taking flight easier. Many bats simply release their grip, drop down and spread their wings. They do not need to build up speed along the ground in the way that some birds do before taking off.
🍌 At La Gruta, You Will Meet Bats That Prefer Fruit
It is worth knowing that La Gruta is not simply a cave full of insect-hunting bats. Loro Parque has created a darkened environment here for fruit-eating bats. Among its inhabitants is Carollia perspicillata, a species native to tropical regions of the Americas.
These are particularly interesting animals because they can use both echolocation and their sense of smell to locate ripe fruit. They are especially fond of fruit from plants belonging to the genus Piper, which also includes black pepper.
But what happens to the seeds? Bats carry or disperse many of them in their droppings. In this way, they help tropical forests regenerate, particularly in areas where vegetation has previously been destroyed.
🧛 Do Vampire Bats Really Exist?
Yes, but there are only three species among the more than 1,400 known bat species. They live in Central and South America and feed on the blood of other animals. However, they do not suck blood in the way films portray. Instead, they make a small incision in the skin and lick up the blood that flows from the wound.
The vast majority of bats feed on insects, fruit, nectar or other small animals. Nor are they interested in becoming tangled in people's hair. Thanks to their agile flight and excellent spatial awareness, they can usually avoid obstacles with ease.
👀 Look closely: at La Gruta, give your eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light. Watch the bats resting upside down, how they move around and how they grasp their food. Do not use flash photography. This is a place best explored slowly and without rushing – only then will you begin to notice behaviours that are easy to miss.
🐅 Predators – Strength Has Its Limits
Big cats and their adaptations for hunting.
Big cats can give the impression that they were designed for one purpose alone: hunting. Powerful muscles, sharp claws, strong jaws and extraordinary agility make them some of the most effective land predators. But each species hunts differently, and impressive strength does not mean that finding food comes easily.
🐅 Tigers – Masters of Ambush Hunting
The tiger is the largest living cat species. Unlike lions, tigers lead predominantly solitary lives. Rather than relying on long pursuits, they patiently stalk their prey before launching a lightning-fast attack from close range.
Their striped fur is not merely decorative. The dark stripes break up the outline of the body among grasses, branches and shadows, making the predator harder to spot. Interestingly, every tiger has a unique pattern of stripes, much like human fingerprints.
Tigers are also excellent swimmers. Unlike many other cats, they readily enter the water, can cross rivers and use pools and other bodies of water to cool down.
🦁 Lions – Predators That Rely on Cooperation
Lions stand out among big cats because of their social lives. They form family groups known as prides, in which the females are often related to one another. Hunting together can help them bring down large animals, although lions are also capable of hunting alone.
The male lion's distinctive mane is more than just decoration. It can signal his age and physical condition to other lions and may also provide some protection for his neck during fights. Its size and colour depend on factors including age, hormones and environmental conditions.
A lion's strength does not guarantee success. Many hunting attempts fail, so these predators need to conserve energy. This is one reason why lions can spend much of the day resting.
🐆 Jaguars – Jaws Powerful Enough to Crush Bones
The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas. At first glance, it resembles a leopard, but it has a stockier build, a broader head and exceptionally powerful jaws. Its coat is covered in distinctive rosettes – dark rings that often contain additional spots.
Jaguars have an extraordinarily powerful bite relative to their body size. They can pierce the tough shells of certain animals and may kill their prey by biting through the skull. They are also excellent swimmers and skilled climbers. In the wild, they hunt animals including capybaras, peccaries, fish and caimans.
At Loro Parque, you can also see black jaguars. They are not a separate species. Their dark colouring is caused by melanism, an increased amount of dark pigment. If you look closely, you will notice that the characteristic rosettes are still visible, even on their almost black fur.
🌍 Why Do Big Cats Need Protection?
Although tigers, lions and jaguars are at the top of their food chains, they face increasing threats in the wild from habitat loss, conflict with humans and poaching. Large predators need extensive territories, sufficient prey populations and opportunities to move between different populations.
Loro Parque participates in European breeding programmes, including those for jaguars and Sumatran tigers. In February 2026, the park announced the birth of a jaguar cub as part of such a programme.
👀 Look closely: try comparing the body shapes of these three big cats. The tiger has a body adapted for stalking and short, explosive attacks. The lion has physical features and behaviours associated with social living, while the jaguar stands out for its massive head and exceptionally powerful jaws.
Take a closer look at their paws, too. Soft pads help them move almost silently, while their retractable claws remain sharp because they do not wear down during ordinary walking.
🐆 Did You Know?
In February 2026, Loro Parque announced the birth of two jaguar cubs to parents Naya and Tito. Sadly, one of the cubs died shortly after birth. The other survived and remained in its mother's care.
On 23 February, the keepers reunited the family, allowing Tito to join the female and her surviving cub. The birth was particularly significant for the European breeding programme because both parents represent valuable genetic lineages.
📜 Source: Loro Parque – official announcement of 25 February 2026 – information about the birth of Naya and Tito's offspring.
🦜 Katandra Treetops – A Walk Among the Birds
At Katandra Treetops, you do not watch birds through glass or behind bars. Instead, you enter an enormous aviary where colourful birds fly freely above your head, perch on branches and move among tropical vegetation. This is one of those places at Loro Parque where it is worth slowing down and, rather than rushing towards the next attraction, simply spending a little time observing the life around you.
The name Katandra comes from the language of one of Australia's Indigenous peoples and is sometimes translated as “song of birds”. The aviary itself is inspired by the environment of Australian rainforests. The walk takes you through different levels of vegetation, allowing you to observe birds both high in the treetops and much closer to the ground.
Among the most eye-catching birds are the lorikeets – small parrots with extraordinarily vivid colours. Their plumage combines shades of green, blue, red and yellow. In the wild, these colours are not merely decorative. They can play a role in recognising members of the same species and communicating with other birds.
🌺 Why Do Lorikeets Have Such Unusual Tongues?
We usually associate parrots with cracking open hard seeds and nuts. Lorikeets, however, have developed a different specialisation. The tips of their tongues have tiny, brush-like projections that help them collect nectar and pollen from flowers. This allows them to feed on resources that many other birds cannot easily access.
As they visit flowers, they transfer pollen between plants, helping to pollinate them. It is a good example of how an animal's anatomy can be closely connected to its role in nature.
🧠 Do Parrots Really Understand What They Say?
Parrots are among the most intelligent birds. They can recognise individuals, learn new sounds, solve problems and remember associations. Some species can even use learned words in an appropriate context.
This does not mean, however, that every parrot repeating a human sentence understands its meaning. Imitating sounds and understanding what they mean are two different abilities. In the wild, the ability to learn vocalisations helps many parrots maintain social relationships.
🌳 Why Are Parrots Important for Forests?
Parrots do more than eat fruit and seeds. Some species carry them over considerable distances, dropping or dispersing some of the seeds along the way. In this way, they can contribute to the regeneration of vegetation.
Their strong, curved beaks work like precision tools. They allow parrots to crack open hard seed cases, peel fruit and even help them climb branches. A parrot can use its beak almost like an extra limb.
Katandra Treetops opened in 2009. According to Loro Parque, the aviary provides around 27,000 m³ of space, while suspended walkways allow visitors to observe the birds at different heights.
👀 Look closely: stop for a moment on one of the walkways and try to spot birds hidden among the leaves. Not all of them are brightly coloured. Some blend remarkably well into the vegetation thanks to their plumage. Also watch how the parrots use their feet and beaks when eating and climbing branches.
🪸 Corals – Animals That Build Underwater Cities
Colourful structures resembling plants or rocks may actually be colonies of thousands of tiny animals – coral polyps. Many reef-building corals produce calcium carbonate skeletons which, over successive generations, form vast underwater structures.
Microscopic algae live within the tissues of many corals, providing them with nutrients through photosynthesis. In return, the algae receive shelter and substances essential for survival. It is a partnership between two completely different organisms, one on which the survival of many coral reefs depends.
When the water becomes too warm, this delicate balance can be disrupted. Corals lose their symbiotic algae and turn pale. This phenomenon, known as coral bleaching, does not always mean immediate death, but prolonged stress can cause entire sections of a reef to die.
At Loro Parque, different aquatic environments have been recreated – from tropical reefs to the ecosystems of the Amazon, mangrove forests and the Canary Islands. You can therefore compare animals that would never encounter one another in the same place in the wild.
Coral Kingdom, which opened in 2024, also deserves particular attention. This extensive coral reef exhibition contains, according to the park, more than 8,000 corals and around 10,000 fish. Through a curved viewing window almost 40 metres long, you can observe the extraordinary diversity of life on a coral reef.
👀 Look closely: as you walk through the underwater tunnel, try watching how the sharks move. Notice the movement of their tails and fins, then compare it with the way smaller fish swim. At the reef, take a little more time to observe. What initially looks like a motionless, colourful landscape is actually an environment full of living organisms and intricate relationships between them.
🪼 Jellyfish – Beautiful Creatures Without a Brain
They look like delicate, almost transparent umbrellas floating in the water. Their long tentacles drift with the current, while their pulsating bodies make them appear to be performing a slow underwater dance. Jellyfish belong to one of the oldest groups of animals on Earth – their ancestors lived in the oceans hundreds of millions of years before humans appeared.
At Loro Parque, you can take a closer look at them in the AquaViva exhibition, where carefully designed lighting highlights the extraordinary shapes and delicate structures of their bodies. But it is worth knowing that what looks like a simple mass of jelly is actually an organism equipped with surprisingly effective survival mechanisms.
🧠 How Can You Live Without a Brain or a Heart?
Jellyfish have no brain, heart or circulatory system. Their bodies consist largely of water, and oxygen reaches their cells directly from the surrounding environment. Instead of a brain, they have a network of nerve cells that allows them to detect stimuli and coordinate their movements.
This does not mean, however, that they have no senses at all. Some jellyfish possess organs that detect light, while box jellyfish even have complex eyes equipped with lenses. Although they do not see the world in the same way as humans, they can use visual information to navigate their surroundings.
🌊 How Do They Move Without Fins?
A jellyfish does not swim like a fish. It contracts and relaxes its bell, pushing water out from beneath it. This generates a force that propels it forwards. It is a form of jet propulsion, although jellyfish still depend heavily on ocean currents.
Their movement is remarkably energy-efficient. Their flexible bodies and the vortices created in the water allow some species to travel while using relatively little energy.
🪼 Delicate Appearance, Effective Weapon
Jellyfish tentacles contain stinging cells with microscopic capsules holding coiled stinging threads. When an appropriate stimulus triggers the mechanism, the thread is rapidly discharged and can inject venom into the prey.
This allows jellyfish to capture small fish, crustaceans and plankton, even though they have neither jaws nor teeth. Not all jellyfish are equally dangerous to humans. Contact with some causes only mild irritation, but there are also species whose venom can be life-threatening.
✨ Do Jellyfish Really Glow?
Some species can produce their own light through chemical reactions taking place inside their bodies. This phenomenon is known as bioluminescence. Among other things, it can help deter predators or attract prey.
However, bioluminescence should not be confused with fluorescence, which involves absorbing light and emitting it in a different colour. At AquaViva, some of the extraordinary visual effects are created by the lighting of the tanks, rather than because all the jellyfish produce their own light.
🔄 Does a Jellyfish Look Like a Jellyfish Throughout Its Life?
This is one of the biggest surprises. In many species, life begins as a tiny larva that settles on a surface and develops into a polyp resembling a miniature sea anemone. Only later do free-swimming jellyfish develop.
What is more, a single polyp can produce many young jellyfish without fertilisation. Loro Parque uses its understanding of this life cycle to breed jellyfish in aquarium conditions.
👀 Look closely: at AquaViva, try comparing jellyfish with different bell shapes and tentacles. Watch how they pulse and respond to the movement of the water. Some resemble delicate umbrellas, while others have long, slender arms or dense clusters of appendages.
🦈 The Aquarium – a World We Rarely See
A shark swimming just above your head, a shoal of fish moving almost as though it were a single organism, and corals that, at first glance, resemble colourful plants. The aquarium at Loro Parque offers a glimpse into a world that usually remains hidden beneath the ocean’s surface. One of its most distinctive features is the underwater tunnel, where you can watch sharks and other fish from a completely different perspective – not looking down at them from above, but almost standing among them.
🦈 Sharks – Predators Older Than Dinosaurs
The ancestors of modern sharks appeared in the oceans more than 400 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs. Their skeletons are made not of bone but of cartilage, making them relatively light and flexible. Sharks also possess extraordinary senses. They can detect extremely weak electrical signals produced by the muscles of other animals. Special sensory organs, known as the ampullae of Lorenzini, located mainly around the snout, allow them to do this.
Contrary to their portrayal in films, sharks are not mindless killing machines. Many species play an important role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by influencing the numbers and behaviour of other animals. Nor are they all enormous predators. Some feed on small fish and invertebrates, while the largest living shark – the whale shark – filters plankton and other tiny organisms from the water.
🐠 Why Do Fish Swim in Shoals?
As you watch the fish in the aquarium, notice how they can change direction almost simultaneously. There is no leader issuing instructions to the entire group. Each fish responds to the movements of its nearest neighbours, and the coordinated behaviour emerges from many such simple reactions. Swimming in a shoal helps reduce the risk of being attacked by predators and, in some species, also makes it easier to find food.
🦍 Gorillas – Family Life and Extraordinary Strength
When you look at an adult male gorilla, it is impossible not to notice his powerful build, broad shoulders and enormous hands. He can weigh more than 180 kilograms, and his strength far exceeds that of a human. Despite their impressive size, however, gorillas are not naturally aggressive giants. They spend most of their time searching for food, resting and interacting with other members of their group.
In the wild, gorillas inhabit the equatorial forests of Central Africa. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, stems, shoots and fruit, although its composition varies depending on the species and habitat. Their powerful muscles are therefore not primarily used for hunting. They are needed for activities such as moving around, climbing and defending themselves.
The most important figure in a typical gorilla family group is the silverback male. His name comes from the silvery-grey hair that develops across his back as he reaches maturity. This male often decides which direction the group travels, watches over its safety and settles disputes. Not every group has exactly the same structure, however – some also contain several adult males.
Gorillas communicate through sounds, facial expressions, gestures and body posture. Gentle grunts help them maintain contact, while their characteristic chest-beating is a form of communication that can signal presence, strength or readiness to defend themselves. Chest-beating does not always mean that a gorilla intends to attack. Often, it is a way of avoiding a direct confrontation by demonstrating its abilities to a rival.
At Loro Parque, you will encounter western lowland gorillas, a critically endangered subspecies. There is, however, something that makes this group different from a typical gorilla family: it consists entirely of males. This is known as a bachelor group.
Why was this arrangement chosen? In the wild, young males often leave the family group in which they grew up. Before forming their own groups, they may spend some time living alongside other males. Loro Parque has drawn on this natural behaviour as part of a breeding programme coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The males can live together, while some are later transferred to other zoos where they may have the opportunity to breed. This was the case with Kiburi, a gorilla who moved to London Zoo in 2022.
👀 Look closely: study the faces of the individual gorillas. They are not identical – their noses, wrinkles and facial expressions differ. The pattern of skin folds around the nostrils is particularly distinctive and helps researchers identify individual animals. Also watch how the gorillas respond to one another. Sometimes a small gesture, a glance or a change in body posture reveals more about their relationships than an impressive display of chest-beating.
🐧 Planet Penguin – Antarctica on a Tropical Island
Outside, the Canarian sun is shining, palm trees are growing, and for much of the year the temperature is warm enough to walk around in short sleeves. Yet step inside Planet Penguin and you enter a completely different world. At Loro Parque, an artificial polar environment has been created where penguins live among rocks, snow and icy water.
What makes the greatest impression is the contrast between tropical Tenerife and the wintry landscape inside the building. Special cooling systems maintain suitable conditions, while snow-making equipment helps recreate an environment associated with the polar regions. The lighting is also controlled, because the length of daylight plays an important role in the penguins’ biological rhythms, including moulting and breeding.
But do all penguins need snow and freezing temperatures? Contrary to popular belief, they do not. Penguins live naturally only in the Southern Hemisphere, but not all of them inhabit Antarctica. They can also be found along the coasts of South America, southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and even on the Galápagos Islands, close to the equator. Different species are adapted to very different conditions.
How do penguins withstand such low temperatures? Their bodies are protected by a thick layer of fat and exceptionally dense, overlapping feathers. Penguins carefully maintain the arrangement of their feathers, helping to prevent cold water from reaching their skin. In addition, a specialised network of blood vessels in their limbs helps reduce heat loss. This is why a penguin can dive into icy water, while a human without suitable protection would quickly become dangerously cold.
At Planet Penguin, it is worth looking closely at the differences between the species. You can recognise king penguins by their large size and orange patches around their heads. Gentoo penguins have distinctive white markings above their eyes, while rockhopper penguins stand out thanks to their yellow feathers, which resemble an extravagant hairstyle. Chinstrap penguins, meanwhile, have a thin black line beneath their beaks that looks like a strap under the chin.
Another fascinating detail is the way penguins raise their young. King penguins do not build traditional nests – instead, they balance their egg on their feet and cover it with a fold of abdominal skin. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins, on the other hand, build nests from pebbles. Stones are so valuable to them that they sometimes steal them from their neighbours.
The park itself states that Planet Penguin produces around 12 tonnes of snow every day, while artificial lighting imitates seasonal changes in daylight hours in Antarctic regions. This matters because summer in the Southern Hemisphere falls in December and January, while winter comes in June and July – the opposite of Europe.
👀 Look closely: try watching the penguins not only on land, but especially underwater. These birds, which can look rather clumsy when walking, become superb swimmers beneath the surface. Their wings have evolved into stiff flippers, which they move in much the same way that other birds beat their wings in flight. Penguins cannot fly through the air, but underwater they really do look as though they are flying.
Loro Parque – An Extraordinary World of Animals on Tenerife
Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is one of Tenerife’s best-known attractions. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, it is home to animals from all over the world – from colourful parrots and gorillas to penguins, sharks and orcas. You can wander through enormous aviaries, explore the underwater world and encounter animals you would probably never see in their natural habitats.
But Loro Parque is also a place that raises important questions. How can suitable conditions for penguins be created on a subtropical island? Why can parrots imitate human speech? How intelligent are orcas, and do animal shows really help us understand them better? Let's explore the park not only through the eyes of a tourist, but also with the curiosity of someone who wants to understand what they are looking at.
📖 Loro Parque with Achamán
Loro Parque is a place where it is easy to lose track of time. With so many attractions hidden among tropical gardens, animal enclosures and aquariums, it is worth deciding in advance what interests you most.
In the Tenerife with Achamán – the Island Told by the God of the Guanches guidebook, I will show you how to plan your visit to Loro Parque and combine it with exploring Puerto de la Cruz and other fascinating places in northern Tenerife.
👉 You will find practical information about getting there, parking and buying tickets, along with an interactive map of nearby attractions to help you plan your entire day.
🗺️ You will receive a map of Loro Parque itself at the entrance – in the guidebook, we will focus on how to reach the park and what is worth discovering beyond its gates.
🦜 From Parrots to a Major Zoological Park
It all began with parrots. When Loro Parque opened in Puerto de la Cruz in 1972, it was nothing like the enormous zoological park we know today. Covering an area of just 13,000 m², it was home to around 150 parrots. The park takes its name from these birds – loro is the Spanish word for parrot.
The man behind the project was Wolfgang Kiessling, a German entrepreneur who decided to create a place dedicated to these extraordinary birds on Tenerife. The choice of Puerto de la Cruz was no coincidence. The north of the island was already attracting tourists, and its mild climate provided ideal conditions for the lush gardens that would eventually become one of Loro Parque’s defining features.
Initially, parrots were the main attraction – their colours, intelligence and remarkable ability to imitate sounds. Over the years, the park expanded, enlarged its aviaries and introduced more animal species. Aquariums, a penguin habitat, mammal enclosures and facilities for marine animals followed. What began as a small parrot park gradually developed into one of Europe’s most recognisable zoological parks.