Benidorm tour - August 2014

Jordan-Jaguar97

Jordan-Jaguar97

Well-Known Member
Part one:

Terra Natura Benidorm - 3rd August 2014.

I didn't want to ruin HGibbins' thread so I created my own. Anyway, after a stroke of luck, my mother won five thousand pound on a scratch card so it was decided we'd have a family holiday. We have visited Benidorm a few times prior and all enjoyed it.

On to the collection, the first collection out of two we visited was Terra Natura Benidorm. The price for entry is €23 each, over twelves are classed as adults. If you wish to pay the price on the day, the entry is €5 extra than what it is if you purchase your tickets prior to your visit.

Getting to the collection itself is quite easy if you plan on using public transport, a number one bus takes you to the collection from anywhere in Benidorm. The price is reasonable at a cost of €1.50. Returning home using the bus is the same price and the bus stop is virtually opposite the collection itself. Taxis from where we stayed were approximately €11-€13 depending the day you visited.

Back onto the collection, the first exhibit you seen when entering is a volcano like exhibit, made for reptiles/invertebrates/fish etc. The species in there werer quite striking, the list is here:

Leaf cutter ant (with gold fish)
Red knee tarantula
Costa Rican zebra tarantula
Colombian giant tarantula
Mata grosso giant tarantula
Pinktoe tarantula
Chile tarantula
Asian giant scorpion
Giant rock scorpion
Emperor scorpion
Long nose viper (life tick)
Egg eating snake (life tick)
Gabon viper
Puff adder
Mexican black-tailed rattlesnake
Mexican beaded lizard
Emerald tree boa
Forest cobra (life tick)
Black mamba (life tick)
Gila monster (unsure of ssp)
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Moss viper (life tick)
Madagascar leaf nosed snake (life tick)
Monkey frog (life tick)
Eyelash viper
Poison dart frog
Sidewinder (life tick)
Uracoan rattlesnake (life tick)
Rock rattlesnake (life tick)
Guxlas jumping viper hatchling (life tick)
Jungle carpet python (life tick)
Copperhead (life tick)
Cucuru toad
Assassin bug

And at the exit of this exhibit are, chinchilla, Degu and Greater Egyptian Jerboa. A rather nice line up and a great collection of rattlesnakes which I picked up quite a few life ticks. Part two, coming up. (Apologises if spelling isn't correct - using an iPhone with autocorrect on and currently still in Benidorm! :D)
 
Part Two

Part two:

After exiting the volcano/reptile house, the park is split into three sections, America, Asia and Europe. I find the most interesting section in the park is the Asia section. As you enter the Asian section, the first exhibit is part of the former Elephant paddock which has been converted to a mixed enclosure housing two Dromedary camels, two Sambars (life-tick) and a herd of domestic zebu cattle.

Opposite the mixed exhibit is one of three elephant paddocks, only one can be viewed from this area, the other two can be seen at the other end of the Asian section near the Big Cat temple. This exhibit houses two females, the male Luka was sent to Germany I believe. The Elephant paddock is rather nice, lots of space but lacks foliage and trees, a group of blackbuck also share this paddock.

Continuing through the Asia section, a series of identical enclosures are next housing, Pygmy slow loris (This enclosure once held Indian eagle owl), water monitor and an African rock python, the latter of which was off-show due to enclosure renovation. At the end of these enclosures is a small enclosure home to Reeves' muntjac.

After finishing the first area of the Asia section, a small area housing different species of birds of prey appears, I can't remember what species were held however Peregrine falcon, Indian eagle owl, European eagle owl were the ones that stuck in my head.

Left of the birds of prey area was the two other elephant paddocks, also housing another two females. After I left I saw a leaflet offering a tour of a tour of the elephant house for a good price of €4. Terra Natura currently holds four female Asian Elephant.

Next up was a rather nice surprise, a new enclosure converted from a toilet block to house a pair of king cobra (life-tick). A rather nice exhibit, nicely built and it was great to finally pick up a photo of a king cobra after walking past it at West Mid's in 2009.

My favourite area of the Asia section is the big cats. The 'temple' isn't far from the king cobra exhibit, the first enclosure holds a single male Sumatran Tiger 'Vanni' from Rotterdam. This has to be probably the worst enclosure at Terra Natura, it's similar to the jaguar exhibit. Rather small, quite well shaded but not a lot of space.

Around the corner is an enclosure for a pair of Lar gibbons, who now share an enclosure with a pair of Indian porcupine. This enclosure held a hand-reared Bengal tiger cub on my last visit. I believe the two species (Lar gibbon and Bengal tiger cub rotated, the porcupines are a recent occupant).

A small walk from the gibbon enclosure brings you to the lion exhibit. Terra Natura holds a pair of Asiatic lions in another adequate enclosure, the viewing windows still haven't been replaced or cleaned from my last visit nearly three years ago.

Just opposite the lion enclosure is another interesting mix. A group of chital mixed with Nilgai, Yak and a trio of Gaur. Seeing more than a pair of Gaur was nice and unexpected.

Part three, shortly.
 
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Part three:

After exiting from the Indian herbivore paddock, the next enclosure was an island for zoo-mix Bengal tigers, I only saw three however, on my visit three years ago there were around six or seven. The Bengal tiger exhibit is actually the best big cat exhibit in the collection. The enclosure can be viewed from above and underwater viewing, too.

At the underwater viewing area, there is also viewing for Indian rhino mixed with Nilgai and (signage posted by not seen) Eastern White pelican. The two adult female Indian Rhinos and young male calf were kept separate from the bull, Niko.

Across from the Rhino pool was an underwater viewing for crocodiles. On my last visit, Terra Natura held a single Saltwater crocodile on-show, I again thought this was the case until I looked at the signage. I believe Terra Natura now have a single Siamese crocodile on-show, to my surprise. I was rather happy and picked up yet another life-tick! :D

Moving on, around the corner was a small enclosure holding a single Indian porcupine. The other two (mixed with Lar gibbon) were held in here previously.

After passing the porcupine enclosure, the next enclosure was the bull Indian rhino paddock. The bull 'Niko' was in the pool, Sambar, blackbuck, barasingha and chital also share this paddock. Signage suggests that the other female rhino, 'Shiwa' will be mixed with 'Niko', soon.

The last exhibit on the Asia section was again another rotated exhibit. This time an interesting one, dholes mixed with a mother-son pair of siamang. I didn't see siamang that day however I saw them on my last visit. Just passed the siamang/dhole exhibit was a small aviary for Edward's pheasant, flying fox and chattering lory.

Part four will be finished, later on today/tomorrow evening - I will be visiting my second collection tomorrow, Mundo Mar.
 
Part four:

Continuing on from my previous post, the next area I visited was the 'Europe' section. This is probably my least favourite bit of the park, it mainly houses domestic animals such as sheep, goats, horses and cows. Further on is also walk through section for red deer. This section proves popular however as it has a particularly nice restaurant.

I had completed near two thirds of the park and only had the 'America' section left to explore. On entering the 'America' section, the first exhibit is for a small group of Chilean flamingo and next to them are a pair of Emu in an adjacent enclosure.

The 'America' section has a good collection of birds, the aviary is a highlight of that section. It housed over thirty different bird species including, four species of toucan, night herons, Maguari storks and a good number of parrots. I'll post a species list of birds in here, when I return to the UK! :) On exiting the aviary, a small indoor enclosure for Seba's fruit bat is on the exit of the aviary. It was great to pick up around ten life ticks in there.

Just after you leave the aviary, on the right-hand side is an island for white-faced capuchin, red eared slider and capybara. A particular favourite exhibit of mine. The capuchin were also in good numbers, which was nice to see.

Opposite the capuchin island, is a small enclosure for a pair of ocelot, which were in a rather small and bare enclosure, to say the least. Adjacent to the ocelot enclosure is a good exhibit for emperor tamarin.

Passing the capuchin island, is a nice enclosure for Asian short-clawed otter, this enclosure has held bush dog and red-footer tortoise in previous years. In another adjacent enclosure is a trio of collared peccary. Not sure if this was a life tick, but they were rather nice to see.

Opposite the peccary enclosure was two enclosures, one for goeldi's marmoset who were mixed with a Blue and Green macaw and a group of Red-footed tortoise. To the right of them was a small exhibit for the collection's female jaguar. The park once held 1.2, however are now down to a single elderly female.

Exiting the 'America' section is a couple of enclosures, the first is home to Pygmy marmoset. The second Toco Toucan and Golden-headed lion tamarin, both rather nice species. Patagonian Mara were in the third, and the four held Common squirrel monkeys, I believe.

The species list itself is rather nice, all in all. However, the enclosures are what let the collection down IMO. I would rate the collection; 6/10.

Next up - Mundo Mar! :D
 
Well Jordan, it sounds as though you enjoyed it more than I did!

I may have to nick your account's directions about the place though, as I haven't finished my write-up yet and visited a week ago.
 
HGibbins said:
Well Jordan, it sounds as though you enjoyed it more than I did!

I may have to nick your account's directions about the place though, as I haven't finished my write-up yet and visited a week ago.
Click to expand...

No problem! :) - yes, I enjoyed it but it has quite a few downfalls which have now become clear on this recent visit.
 
I enjoyed your tour of a zoo that I was not aware of, Jordan. Thanks for writing it up.
 
Nice report Jordan, doesn't sound to bad a place thanks for taking the time to post it on your holiday.
 
Part Five:

Mundo Mar - 5th August

After a well earned day off, we then did our second collection of the tour, Mundo Mar. The collection in size isn't that huge and the species isn't thrilling but it is still a very nice collection. Again, we caught a bus (Also €1.50 as anywhere in Benidorm), the number one bus takes you to Aqualandia/Mundo Mar who are owned by the same owner/company and lie side by side. Upon entering the collection, we again purchased our tickets before out visit which knocked off €5. :)

Back to the collection itself, Mundo Mar is much easier to get to rather than Terra Natura which is quite out of the way. As you enter Mundo Mar, I noticed a group of several different species of Macaw, Scarlet, Military, and Red and Green were all highlights.

Passing the Parrots, the first enclosure is quite a small one but holds a pair of African Javinus, a rather nice bird and another life tick. The Javinus also shares their enclosure with East-African Crowned cranes. Across from this, is an almost identical enclosure to Chilean flamingo and Swans (Black and Mute, I believe). The flamingos and swans were mixed with Sliders, I think they were Yellow-bellied, however I can't confirm that! :D

Just after the Birds/Sliders, are two enclosures. The first is home to a group of meerkat, the second just passed the meerkats, is home to a pair of Aladbran Giant tortoise. Another enclosure which is quite nicely done and one I particularly liked.

Next after the Tortoise and Meerkats, is a number of enclosures for Sea Lions. I'm quite confused as to which species Mundo Mar actually hold. Sign posted were Californian, Patagonian and Steller's, I believe one of the Sea Lions used in the display was a male Steller's according to signage. The Sea Lion area is okay, mainly water and a bit of rock to sunbath on. Also in the Sea Lion area is Common Seal, who were also used in the display.

Before entering the Sea Lion underwater viewing area, there are two aviaries for Owls. The first is home to a pair of European Eagle owl and the latter is home to a single Snowy Owl.
 
Jordan-Jaguar97 said:
Passing the Parrots, the first enclosure is quite a small one but holds a pair of African Javinus, a rather nice bird and another life tick. The Javinus also shares their enclosure with East-African Crowned cranes.
Click to expand...
Javinus?? What is this meant to say? Jacanas?
 
Part Six:

Swiftly passing the two Owl species, you then appear in the Sea Lion underwater viewing area. Again, not the best enclosure wise but I have seen worse, the signage was particularly rather poor.

Coming out of the Sea Lion area is an opening, to the right is a small enclosure for African porcupine. This enclosure previously held Prairie Marmots on my last visit.

A small walk past the porcupines is a nocturnal exhibit for Bats, I don't have my notes on me at the moment so unable to confirm which species Mundo Mar hold.

Exiting the Bat walk exhibit, you then get another view of the Porcupine exhibit looking down at where you previously stood. Also diagonally across from the Porcupine enclosure is a small aviary for Red-sided Eclectus Parrots, on my visit I saw 1.2.

Mundo Mar itself is rather hilly, as kiang said in another thread, it puts Edinburgh's hill to shame. A number of identical enclosure then appear, ring-tailed coati, Black and White ruffed lemur and ring-tailed lemur are all in single exhibits continuing up the hill.

The next exhibit was probably my highlight of the visit, it held a pair of Toco Toucan in a rather nice enclosure. It had lots of shade, which was needed. Also allegedly mixed with the Toucans but not seen were Yellow armadillo, which I went back to see if I could see numerous times throughout the day.

A new walk-through aviary has been constructed for Sun Conures near the two Lemur exhibits however photography is prohibited due to the fact Mundo Mar takes your photo with them if you wish to have one. On this day however, this exhibit wasn't open.

A rather large bird exhibit which went from the bottom of a hill to the top was rather nice. In here were, Sun Conure, Blue-throated Conure, Common Avocet, Monk Parakeet, Egyptian Plover, Alexandrine Parakeet and Nanday Parakeet. As expected, I saw numerous hybrids in here.
 
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