Zoomarine Algarve participated in a study promoted by the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AIZA) to observe the response of different animal species to the solar eclipse on August 12. The initiative involved 13 zoos and aquariums on the Iberian Peninsula and allowed, in a coordinated manner, audiovisual records of the animals’ behavior in response to changes in lighting conditions, as disclosed in a press release.
According to the same source, developed in 12 Spanish institutions and at Zoomarine, the only Portuguese park to join the project, the work used cameras and recording systems to monitor different species before, during and after the eclipse.
The aim is to contribute to knowledge about how animals respond to environmental changes associated with phenomena of this nature, also reinforcing the role of zoos and aquariums in observation, research and the generation of knowledge about animal behavior.
Different responses between species
The initial records collected by AIZA show that there was no uniform response to the eclipse.
While several species maintained their usual behaviors, others showed occasional changes in activity levels, alertness, exploratory behaviors, or a tendency to group together. Changes were also observed in routines normally associated with different periods of the daily cycle.
At Zoomarine, where the eclipse was partial and occurred near sunset, no significant behavioral changes were recorded in the majority of animals observed.
The sea lions remained asleep and the birds maintained activity levels similar to those recorded in the previous days. Among the observations, the butterflies’ behavior stood out, their activity gradually decreasing, until they remained motionless on the leaves during the eclipse.
The absence of changes is also a relevant datum for the study, allowing comparisons of responses among species, locations and different levels of intensity of the phenomenon.
Observations will continue during upcoming eclipses
The records made during the August 12 eclipse will form the basis for the continuity of the project, which should monitor animal behavior during the next eclipses visible on the Iberian Peninsula.
A new data collection is planned during the total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027 and the annular eclipse of January 26, 2028, allowing an increase in the volume of observations and a comparison of the animals’ responses to different environmental conditions.
In addition to Zoomarine, the study included the Santillana del Mar Zoo, Cabárceno Nature Park, Lacuniacha, RÃo Safari Elche, Oceanogrà fic of Valencia, Terra Natura Benidorm, Bioparc Fuengirola, Sendaviva, Tierra Rapaz, Faunia, Madrid Zoo Aquarium and Zaragoza Aquarium.
AIZA also released a compilation of the audiovisual records captured by cameras installed at the different institutions, documenting both the changes observed during the eclipse and the cases where animals maintained their usual behavior.
