The new area covers almost 1,000 m2 and has been designed to ensure the animals' maximum wellbeing

The orang-utans at Barcelona Zoo have been able to try out their new facility, which has been designed following criteria that ensure the animals' maximum wellbeing and the utmost flexibility in the use of space. It covers a total area of 915 m2 and has four main zones, two inside and two outside, which will allow the group of orang-utans to be observed throughout the year regardless of the weather. The cost of the facility was 1,231,603 euros.

The facility is completely naturalized, with a vegetation barrier that demarcates the area of the enclosure and recreates a natural riverbank, made with artificial stone and natural rocks. A main waterfall measuring four meters in height and a gentle cascade refresh the atmosphere. Enrichment elements have also been installed, such as tree trunks, ropes and wooden platforms that allow the orang-utans to recreate their natural behavior. Also, for the first time, thick iron rods have been used to allow them to balance in a similar way to how they would on tree branches, helping them move about the upper levels of the facility.

The four areas of  the facility are connected to each  other  by a  variety of  alternative accesses, allowing for better handling of the group by the keepers and favoring the option of housing two adult males if necessary.

The perimeter areas of the facility have also been refurbished, providing five semi-covered viewing points so that the public can observe the orang-utans. Similarly, a dense barrier of vegetation has been built, which acts as a space for immersion for visitors to the Zoo and that creates a route where various information points have been installed, which tell of the species and the dangers that may lead to their extinction in their natural habitat. The new area is sited in the old location and comprises the old mandrills' pit, which has been completely transformed after the mandrills were transferred to Lisbon Zoo.

A family of orang-utans

A family of seven orang-utans lives at the Zoo. The dominant male in the group is Karl, who is 18 years old and who arrived in Barcelona in 2005 from Dublin Zoo. On arrival, he paired with Locky, at 32 the oldest orang-utan at the Zoo, with whom he had two babies: Sari, born in 2008, and Balú, born in 2013.

At the same time, Karl also paired with Jawi, an 18-year-old female and daughter of Locky. With her, he increased the group by two more babies: Jingga, born in 2009, and Jadia, born in January of last year, who is the most recent arrival.

In danger of extinction

The orang-utans at Barcelona Zoo are of the Borneo species, endemic to this Southeast Asian island. The species is classed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species in danger of extinction in their natural environment. There are now a few very small and widely dispersed populations on the island of Borneo, endangered by intense tree-felling, the burning of the jungle, poaching and illegal trafficking in babies.

Barcelona Zoo is a top-flight benchmark in the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, as there have been four births in the last six years, which bears out the reproductive success of the EEP with regard to the species and highlights the vitality of the group and the good work of the professionals who care for them.

Every day in August from 12.00 noon until 11.00 pm, except the last week of the month, when it will close at 10.00 pm.

August comes packed with new things at the Tibidabo Amusement Park. For the first time ever, the park will open every day from 12.00 noon until 11.00 pm. During the last week of August however, the park will close at 10.00 pm. At the same time, there is a new end of day show which includes laser technology. Live music will be performed with a laser harp, an explosion of colour rays, geometric shapes in the air and multiple light and music effects.

Every afternoon the magic and humour of Spagueti is back in Pl. dels Somnis at the park. Visitors can also enjoy the latest attractions such as the TibiCity mobility school, where children can drive 10 electric cars and 2 motorbikes, and the Playful Learning area by Lego. All this in the company of the park mascots, Ti, Bi, Da and Bo.

They are replicas of the original sculptures, made by Pau Gargallo in the twenties

Barcelona City Council has now completed the process of restoration of the Olympic charioteers, replica of the original sculptures made by the sculptor Pablo Gargallo in the twenties. The replicas were made in 1990 under the artistic direction of Marta Polo and was placed crowning the facade of Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium when it was remodeled for the 1992 Olympic Games.

The Department of Artistic and Historical Architectural Heritage of the City Council has been responsible for overseeing the restoration work, which culminates today with the installation and replacement of the sculpture. The material with which these sculptures were made of polyester fiber was an iron skeleton inside. With the passage of time have been degraded to the point that due to its poor state we consider necessary to make a comprehensive restoration process.

Works began in December 2014. The charge of and coordinating all the work has been the company PENTA, which is currently the maintenance contract heritage of the City of Barcelona. The cost of the restoration has been € 27,000

From 1st to 31st of August, green AREA and part of the blue AREA will remain free of charge, regulation will remain as usual at the exclusive zones for residents

From 1st until 31st of August, green AREA will be free of payment, as well as some parts of the blue AREA. This is a measure to make it more practical and comfortable for users, while the service adapts to the needs of the city during August. Moreover, regulation will remain as usual at the exclusive zones for residents

Blue AREA payment is maintained in some areas of great concurrence, and regulation of exclusive areas for coaches remain with their regular rates. All parking meters in the city have a QR code through which users can access to the map directly from their smartphone. All information availiable at

He is an 8-year-old named Tibor and comes from the Edinburg Zoo

Barcelona Zoo has welcomed a new Sumatran tiger coming from the Edinburg Zoo as told by the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). His hame is Tibor and he is 8 years old. After an adaptation period and the usual veterinary controls, he will share his new home with Pertama, the female Sumatran tiger living currently in the Zoo.

Tibor’s right eye was injured when he was a baby. Despite the effort of the veterinarians, the wound resulted in glaucoma he had to have his eye removed a fact that has not been an inconvenient for being accepted by the Zoo.

Tigers are the largest feline in the world, although Sumatran subspecies is the smallest of them all. It is critically endangered, and listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, as it is calculated that there are only between 400 and 700 individuals in the world.

It's a male, and both mother and baby are in perfect health

Barcelona Zoo has welcomed a baby zebra, born on Thursday. First days of life are critical for this species, but thanks to the caregivers, his evolution has been really positive. The baby is a male and both him and his mother are in good health. With this newborn, the zebra family at the Zoo has grown up to 5 members: a breeding male, three females and this new baby.

Barcelona's zebras are classified in the Chapman's subspecies. Zebra's coat is unique and alouds them to identify individuals, besides being a defense against their predators. They can weigh up to 30kg at the time of birth.

For more information, please make contact with comunicacio@bsmsa.cat

The fourth edition of Tibidabo Magic, renewed closing shows and the funny character "Spagueti"

Summer season has started at the Tibidabo Amusement Park, and it comes with a lot of new features. During this July, there will take place the fourth edition of the traditional Tibidabo Magic and there will be two completely renovated closing shows "Around the World with Geronimo Stilton" and the new laser show. The "Spagueti" returns to the park as well, that funny character will represent magic shows every evening at the Plaça dels Somnis.

In addition, visitors can also enjoy the new attractions released this year, the mobiliy yschool TibiCity and Playful Learning space by Lego, along with the new mascots of the Park, Ti, Bi, Da and Do. TibiCity is one of the most innovative attractions of the park, since it introduces children to basic mobility standards while incorporating various elements of a Smart City, transmitting them the values of Barcelona. Among the novelties for this summer there is the Tibidabo Magic and renewed closing shows. Click here to check opening hours for this summer

For more information, please make contact with comunicacio@bsmsa.cat

The three youngs are in perfect health, but their genre is not known yet

Barcelona Zoo has welcomed 3 new birds that has been born in the last days. The first newborn was the vulture, the second one that has been born this year at the Zoo, and then the southern screamers. The three youngs are in perfect health, but their genre is not known yet. Those births, along with the 2 impalas that were born last wekk, show the vitality of the groups of animals living in the Zoo, and the good work done by their carers.
For more information, please make contact with comunicacio@bsmsa.cat

Black-faced impalas are the most endangered subspecie of impala in the world, there are no more than 1.000 of them living in the wild

Barcelona Zoo has welcomed two new young black-faced impalas, a male and a female, that are in perfect health. Black-faced impala is the most endangered subspecies of impala, in fact it appears on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). It is estimated that there are no more than 1,000 impalas living in the wild, most of them in the National Parks of Iona (Angola) and Etosha (Namibia). The Barcelona Zoo, along with the Zoos of Pretoria and Lisbon, participates in an international studbook of the specie, a breeding program coordinated by the Portuguese Zoo. For more information, please make contact with comunicacio@bsmsa.cat

There’s an assistance service to help people with disabilities or reduced mobility with their coach trips

Barcelona Nord Station started an assistant service for people with reduced mobility (PMR) with the aim of facilitate and help them in their coach trips and during their stay in the station. The assistance must be requested 72 hours in advanced of the travel date minimum and, for that purpose you have to complete this form, which can be found in the station website.

People who can benefit from this assistance:

	Passengers with impaired vision, with or without guide dog
	Passengers with intellectual or developmental disabilities
	Hearing-impaired passengers
	Passengers with reduced mobility
	Passengers requiring any kind of assistance, but not listed in the above categories

For more information check Barcelona Nord’s website or make contact with comunicacio@bsmsa.cat