Polar Ecosystem

The Polar Ecosystem at Faunia is a piece of Antarctica where close to one hundred polar birds native to these latitudes live, and which we can call the largest Polar Ecosystem of all Nature Parks in Europe.

In the South Pole or Antarctic we can find a good sample of the animals that live in the southernmost extreme of the planet: a hundred or so penguins of seven different species: Adelie, Chinstrap, Humboldt, Magellanic, Gentoo, King and Rockhopper. It is easy to differentiate between the different species due to their plumage or size.  The King Penguin stands out from the rest of the species due to its large size and colour, with very vivid plumage and almost 1 metre in height. We listen to the sound or call they use to communicate with each other which, in the case of the Magellanic, is similar to a bray. We find out their hygiene habits, for example how with their beaks they spread a layer of grease over their entire bodies.

Faunia participates in the international breeding programme for the Humboldt Penguin which is currently in danger of extinction. This project forms part of the Faunia framework of programmes for the conservation of species in danger of extinction.

From a lower level we can enjoy an underwater view of the pool where, in between starfish, we can see the penguins swim, eat and practice their “underwater flying” around a whale skeleton.

The Polar Ecosystem at Faunia has a total surface area of 2.096 m² and requires specific conditions of maintenance. From a temperature in accordance with the season of the year (which is between -2 and 5ºC), to the requirement to salinate the water which is filtered every 40 minutes, passing through the sophisticated lighting needed to control the photoperiod and light spectrum of the different latitudes. In addition, the air is cleaned of bacteria, mites and fungi, which makes the air that these birds breathe purer than that of Everest. The constant layer of ice, the four tonnes of snow required for the storms, the marine curre