Pairi Daiza Pairi Daiza News 2024

GalenMarek

Well-Known Member
Yesterday, I went to the park for the last day of the 2023 season.
It was cold so not many animals were outside. I noticed a new little guy in the Mersus emergo: the black rough-necked monitor (Varanus rudicollis). There is only one animal. It's alone in a terrarium between the Yellow-spotted Monitor and the Mindanao water monitor. It was not listed on ZTL, I added it: it's the 9th zoo in Europe to own the species. Unfortunately, there is no information about the gender/origin
 

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1. A cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera) joined the "Cathedral Aviary." I only saw one bird. As usual with Pairi Daiza, the signs are not updated, and the species is not listed. Even if the species is not rare in zoos, as far as I know, it's the first zoo in Belgium to host cinnamon teal (or one of its subspecies). I didn't see the European eider (they removed the sign).
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This is not a cinnamon teal. It may be a hybrid. I'm not sure of what species, but perhaps a waterfowl expect could be of more help here.
 
This is not a cinnamon teal. It may be a hybrid. I'm not sure of what species, but perhaps a waterfowl expect could be of more help here.
It looks like a hybrid between a common eider and a ruddy shelduck (which is possible as both species are or have recently been kept at the aviary). I remember that pictures of this individual have already been posted in the ZooChat Gallery in the past.
 
It has the eider's bill shape and the shellduck's coloration so that makes total sense.
 
Hi. I wondered what this zoo is like? I’ve seen some short videos and it seems nice. I was considering going on holiday and doing an elephant feeding experience (something that’s been stopped in the uk) and maybe doing an over night stay there. Trip advisor has some mixed reviews about animal welfare and enclosure sizes.
Are they good sizes and are the animals well looked after? I know in the uk only one place has polar bears as they need so much space and again only a handful have elephants due to space. Is there enough to spend a couple of days enjoying the place at a slow pace if you did some experiences? Also does anyone know how accessible it is? It does say it has wheelchair accessible paths but we all know wheelchair access can vary! Sorry for all the questions!
 
Hi. I wondered what this zoo is like? I’ve seen some short videos and it seems nice. I was considering going on holiday and doing an elephant feeding experience (something that’s been stopped in the uk) and maybe doing an over night stay there. Trip advisor has some mixed reviews about animal welfare and enclosure sizes.
Are they good sizes and are the animals well looked after? I know in the uk only one place has polar bears as they need so much space and again only a handful have elephants due to space. Is there enough to spend a couple of days enjoying the place at a slow pace if you did some experiences? Also does anyone know how accessible it is? It does say it has wheelchair accessible paths but we all know wheelchair access can vary! Sorry for all the questions!
I suggest you check out: Opinions about Pairi Daiza [Pairi Daiza]
Opinions are mixed. Personally I'm not a fan but I suggest people visit it at least once and form their own opinion.
 
I was considering going on holiday and doing an elephant feeding experience (something that’s been stopped in the uk)!

Has it? Whipsnade still states on their website their experience includes feeding the elephants and I saw people doing that at the zoo late last year. Has elephant feeding been halted in zoos in the U.K.?
 
Pairi Daiza has received Yellow-tailed black cockatoos (Zanda funerea) that were seized by the federal CITES authorities and entrusted to the park for care. Once the authorities have made a final decision and the birds have done their quarantine a place will be found for them in the park.

Pairi Daiza NL
 
With the upcoming start of Pairi Daiza's 2024 season this weekend, a few new developments have been released.

Some of the gardens at the foot of the old abbey tower have been transformed into a paddock area for isabelline Pura Raza Española horses, which will alternately share the spare with miniature donkeys and miniature horses.

Pairi Daiza has received a lesser bird of paradise and corsac foxes. The latter might move into the raccoon dog exhibit with the raccoon dogs moving to the Japanese area, although that hasn't been confirmed.

Laafsekikkers

Nieuwstopic Pairi Daiza (2024) - Pagina 4 - Laafsekikkers.be
 
Pairi Daiza's African bush elephants Suzy and Gitana will soon (date not yet known) be leaving for West Midland Safari Park in the UK, where they will join a larger elephant group in a newer facility. The African elephants are currently still on display.

Pairi Daiza NL

Pairi Daiza has received a 4.5 year old female common eland named Usiku that was seized by animal welfare authorities due to lack of care. The animal will be helped to recover before going on show. Pairi Daiza has not previously kept this species.

Pairi Daiza NL
 
Pairi Daiza's African bush elephants Suzy and Gitana will soon (date not yet known) be leaving for West Midland Safari Park in the UK, where they will join a larger elephant group in a newer facility. The African elephants are currently still on display.

Pairi Daiza NL

Pairi Daiza has received a 4.5 year old female common eland named Usiku that was seized by animal welfare authorities due to lack of care. The animal will be helped to recover before going on show. Pairi Daiza has not previously kept this species.

Pairi Daiza NL
Glad to hear the elephants will be joining a larger herd, always nice to see developments like that take place. And elands are always a good species, a pretty good substitute for the elephant paddock once these leave too!
 
Glad to hear the elephants will be joining a larger herd, always nice to see developments like that take place.
They are actually only joining another two, but together they will make four, and one of the four is a bull. Obviously these two from Paira Daiza are past breeding age but I'm sure socially it will enrich all four elephants. I had wondered how West Midlands Safari Park would manage to aquire more elephants to make a better display.
 
According to another article I since read, an additional reason for the move is the hilly nature of the exhibit at Pairi Daiza, which the two older elephants are starting to have some issues with.

Pairi Daiza stopt met Afrikaanse olifanten: verblijf is ongeschikt

Although Pairi Daiza has not talked about it yet, I wouldn't be surprised if they used the current elephant exhibit to expand their mixed savanna exhibit. I believe they once intended to allow some of the savanna animals access to the elephant area anyway, but that that never worked out. With the possible addition of eland extra space for the savanna animals would be welcome.
 
Although Pairi Daiza has not talked about it yet, I wouldn't be surprised if they used the current elephant exhibit to expand their mixed savanna exhibit. I believe they once intended to allow some of the savanna animals access to the elephant area anyway, but that that never worked out. With the possible addition of eland extra space for the savanna animals would be welcome.

That's a good guess. The upcoming departure of the two African Elephants would add a significant amount of space to the existing African Savanna. Approximately how large is their exhibit?
 
It explains why the African Elephants were not visible on the 2024 Park Map.
I have mixed feelings: always sad to see African elephants leaving a zoo (especially near to my place) but happy for them. If I'm correct, it's also a part of the Belgian culture that's leaving the country: One of the two elephants was used in commercials/as a visual identity for "Cote d'Or" Chocolate, right?
 
It explains why the African Elephants were not visible on the 2024 Park Map.
I have mixed feelings: always sad to see African elephants leaving a zoo (especially near to my place) but happy for them. If I'm correct, it's also a part of the Belgian culture that's leaving the country: One of the two elephants was used in commercials/as a visual identity for "Cote d'Or" Chocolate, right?

I did a little bit of research, the Malter family did do a fair amount of commercials with Suzy and another elephant they used to have, an Asian elephant female named Chamba (deceased 2001), including for Côte D'or chocolate.
 
Pairi Daiza's African bush elephants Suzy and Gitana will soon (date not yet known) be leaving for West Midland Safari Park in the UK, where they will join a larger elephant group in a newer facility. The African elephants are currently still on display.

Pairi Daiza NL

Pairi Daiza has received a 4.5 year old female common eland named Usiku that was seized by animal welfare authorities due to lack of care. The animal will be helped to recover before going on show. Pairi Daiza has not previously kept this species.

Pairi Daiza NL
It is mixed emotionals here on this as one yes it's going to be a sad day for everyone at Pairi Daiza and very exciting for West Midland Safari Park as there will soon to be 4 elephants with Suzy and Gitana joining another female Five and Bull Elephant Coco
 
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