Zodiac, owner of 3 Dutch zoos ( Aqua Zoo Leeuwarden, Dierenpark Wissel en Zoo Overloon has gone bankrupt. It is still unknown what will happen with the 3 zoos !
Somehow I was not in the least surprised to hear this, alas sad it is so. Not surprised as in their wavering policy re their 3 zoo parks and the constant rehushing of masterplans, planning / building and rebuilding exhibits and constant restyling of every park without any true long term vision. I sincerely hope that one or other enterpreneur will find the drive and courage to move the Zodiac Zoos' legacy forward and realise the full potential of 1. Zoo Parc Overloon, 2. Dierenpark Wissel and 3. Aquapark Leeuwarden (allthough not necessarily in that particular order).
I agree with you. According to a dutch newspapper for Dierenpark Wissel negotiations are already underway with two serious candidates, hopefully some serious candidates will also step forward for Zoo Parc Overloon and Aquapark Leeuwarden.
The three former Zodiac parcs: Aqua Zoo Leeuwarden, Zoo Parc Overloon & Dierenpark Wissel have a new owner! Libéma, a Dutch company that already owns Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek and Dierenrijk in Nuenen, has bought the three parcs but will close Dierenpark Wissel in Epe. The other two parcs: Aqua Zoo and Zoo Parc Overloon will remain open.
Really, this is THE best solution EVER! Libema is experienced entrepreneur in zoo management AND has a long term vision!
Dierenpark de Wissel has been closed directly and will not open again, so there is no space for goodbye visits
Is there any word on what will happen to the collection at Wissel? I presume it will be absorbed by the owners' various collections. The agile mangabeys are of particular interest - I think the only ones in captivity.
I'm guessing that some animals wil move to other libema collections, and the rest wil go to other zoos and safariparks in Europe.
Be nice if the Peruvian Squirrel Monkeys and Crab-eating Raccoons came to the UK even nicer if the Agile Mangabeys did.
Zoo Parc Overloon will be re-branded soon and probably take in a good number of animals from former Wissel Zoo in Epe. This will be done to streamline the 3 zoological facilities Libema - SBB, Dierenrijk and Zoo Parc Overloon - will then operate with the south-eastern provinces of the Netherlands. Only logical do not you think? Certainly, in the light of assuring that all zoological facilities have their own drawcards and do not copy another ...., thus increasing the chances of repeat-visits / overall attractions value for potential customers!
