An Australian short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus aculeatus) in the Oceania Area in Planckendael. Through a combination of luck and perseverance I managed to see this little critter up about, e.g. I stood by the exhibit for half an hour before the park closed and eventually had to be politely told to leave by the staff (does a ZooChatter leave a zoo in any other way?). Planckendael is one of only 6 European zoos that keep short-beaked echidnas (but the only ones who keep this subspecies).
The Oceania theme in Planckendael opened in 1998 and is one of the most extensive in Europe featuring wildlife from Australia and New Guinea.
Planckendael, July 2011.
