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Terra Natura Benidorm Enhances Care for Elderly Nilgai with Vision Loss

 

Benidorm / 11 April 2026

 

Terra Natura Benidorm has introduced a series of specialised welfare measures to support an elderly nilgai antelope experiencing near-total vision loss, highlighting the park’s commitment to individualised animal care.

 

The animal, named Yute, a male nilgai (Asia’s largest antelope species), has been relocated to a safer enclosure and placed on a tailored nutritional and veterinary care plan designed to improve his quality of life during old age.

 

Precautionary Move to Safer Environment

Born in December 2008, Yute had previously shared a habitat with larger species, including Indian rhinoceroses. However, as his eyesight deteriorated significantly, veterinary staff determined that cohabitation with much larger animals posed a potential safety risk.

 

He has now been moved to a quieter “monsoon meadow” area within the park, where he lives alongside smaller, more compatible species such as barasingha and other deer.

 

Animal care teams say the relocation was a preventative measure to reduce the risk of injury while allowing Yute to remain socially engaged in a suitable environment.

 

Adaptation and Behavioural Support

Adjusting to the new enclosure required careful monitoring and behavioural support. Keepers have used auditory cues, including voice guidance, to help Yute navigate his surroundings safely.

 

Over time, the animal has adapted successfully, developing new ways to orient himself and forming a strong bond with his carers.

 

Specialised Diet and Veterinary Monitoring

To address age-related health challenges, including reduced mobility and muscle loss, Yute has been placed on a targeted nutrition programme.

 

This includes:

• Enriched feed with beet pulp to support weight gain
• Powdered vitamin and mineral supplements
• Ongoing appetite stimulation and dietary monitoring

 

Veterinary teams are also closely observing conditions commonly associated with ageing animals, such as joint issues including osteoarthritis, as well as physical changes like coat thinning and horn wear.

 

Commitment to Lifetime Animal Welfare

The initiative forms part of Terra Natura’s broader animal welfare protocols, which focus on adapting care to each animal’s specific needs throughout all life stages.

 

A spokesperson for the park said the measures demonstrate a commitment to:

• Individualised animal management
• Preventative healthcare
• Continuous welfare monitoring

 

The approach reflects evolving standards in modern zoological parks, where emphasis is increasingly placed on quality of life, ageing care, and species-appropriate environments.