This exhibit was originally built in 1908, the current renovated version was first presented to the public 2012. Normally it houses the main harbor seal group, however the California sea lions are currently housed here, and the main harbor seal group is currently housed in the former Dalmatian pelican exhibit next to the hippos (Antwerp currently no longer has pelicans). The black mesh fence with the metal poles was put in place as an additional sea lion barrier, and wasn't there when the harbor seals lived in this exhibit.
The sea lions were previously housed in the Aquaforum (which was itself a former dolphin facility) that is part of the jubilee complex. That complex closed at the end of 2019 for complete renovation, but the project was halted by the Covid-19 crisis and isn't expected to be started up again until 2022. Originally a new mostly outdoor sea lion facility was planned as part of the renovation, but it was scrapped as it was deemed too difficult to execute for heritage protection and probably also some financial reasons.
The zoo has therefore decided to move their remaining California sea lions to other zoos, transfers that are expected to take place later this year. A transport cage was already placed in the exhibit for the sea lions to get used to it.
@Philipine eagle That was before my time, or at least before my time of memory. The last one passed away in 1996 and I only started visiting zoos somewhat regularly the following year.
I have however seen the historical images in the archive and on zoo-related social media. Very impressive animals, but of course not at all suitable for the exhibit at Antwerp.
Personally I only remember there being harbor seals in this exhibit (and now the sea lions for a while).
I do also have some memories of a seal exhibit next to the old hippopotamus house (late 1990's and very early 2000's) and of the old fur seal, California sea lion, penguin and nutria exhibits near the Egyptian temple and deer paddocks (current location of restaurant terrace and playground).
@KevinB you're memory is quite right. The old Hippo house had a Malayan tapir exhibit on the left side (nowadays the vulture marabou aviary). On the right side there were tiny outside enclosures for pygmy hippo, pinguin and seals. Not sure if I ever have seen the common hippo's outside in the old enclosure.
The elephant seal was an incredible animal (and smelled to high heaven).
@Philipine eagle I remember the building and the tapir exhibit relatively well actually. I also seem to remember there being keas and some penguins outside the old hippo house. I personally never saw the hippo outside, as that exhibit was always occupied by the seals. I do remember seeing pygmy hippos outside sometimes.
Back in those days the zoo in my memory only had Hermien (the now old female hippo they still have) and she lived in an exhibit with a pool and a small land paddock that were even smaller than the current indoor exhibit (as the pygmy hippos also occupied a substantial portion of the building). I also seem to remember the building as even smellier than the current building.
