Tragedy at Bioparc Valencia: Endangered Elephant Miri Dies in an Accident

The Bioparc Valencia is in shock following the death of Miri, one of its female African savanna elephants. The incident occurred during a routine interaction within the herd when one of the males accidentally struck her with his tusk, severing her brachial artery. The injury caused severe bleeding; despite the immediate and intensive efforts of the park's veterinary and care teams, the haemorrhage could not be contained, and Miri passed away shortly after.

"All Bioparc staff are deeply shaken, especially those who provided her daily care. Working with animals involves immense responsibility and requires great empathy—it is a vocation that goes far beyond simple maintenance and is carried out with genuine love and dedication," the park stated in an official release.

The technical team is now focusing entirely on the well-being of the remaining herd. The group includes the male involved in the accident, as well as the mother and two young calves: three-year-old Makena and two-year-old Malik. Monitoring the psychological and social stability of the group is the current priority for the Bioparc specialists.

Bioparc Valencia plays a vital role in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for the African savanna elephant. Over the last century, the global population of these majestic animals has plummeted by 96%. The program aims to safeguard the species through managed breeding under human care, ensuring a healthy population with high genetic diversity.

Despite this heartbreaking loss, Bioparc management emphasised that their commitment to conservation remains unchanged. The ongoing growth and vitality of the two young calves serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of their mission and provide the "best incentive to continue" their work in protecting this endangered species.