There are two walrus-exhibits, but the inner gates are open, the animals can choose between the exhibits. There will be 4 walrusses later, but only 2 at this moment. At this time there are also only two female polar bears.
We survived it. But we are used to it in Pairi Daiza. When the first Giant Panda cubs were born, we waited for up to 2 hours. Also the first gorilla's (in the volcano) created a queue (also +/- 30 minutes) in Pairi Daiza a few years back. These days you also have a queue at the entrance (about a half hour) around openingstime. It has also a benefit, most people are in a queue... so it is mainly calm in the other parts from the park! See also this video from yesterday:
Doesn't look too bad in the video. When I went last year there wasn't any queuing anywhere, but then there was no virus back then, or brand new exhibits... Did you happen to notice how many Spix Macaws they have now? Are they still by the entrance /gift shop?
Thank you for the interesting video. My impression from the film was of very minimal (token) signage, no extra hand-wash or gel stations, no stand-off lines at viewing windows, no sign of staff, no 2m separation signage or markings at all, and (almost) no visitors. It did not look economic for them to be open, certainly none of the crowds we heard reported in CZ...
They are still there, but didn't count them, sorry. Most visitors are members now, and the members mostly rushed to the newest area. In the other parts is was quiet, but not empty. At this moment Pairi Daiza alows 20% of their maximum capacity (arround 6.000 people for 65ha), which is lesser than the 7.000 in Zoo Planckendael (46ha), but more when compared with the small city Zoo from Antwerp 4.000 (11ha). For a huge park as Pairi Daiza 20% isn't much, and indeed not a great economic situation. The restaurants are all closed, only take-away is allowed... but there aren't real queues for those (not above 5 minutes). The shops are also quiet. Handgels are present in the park, extra staff also. toilets are constantly monitored. In the newest area the staff monitors and guide the public. In queues a mask is mandatory. Stand-off lines to windows are not required in Belgium, and aren't present.
According to their FB page, they have also had to devise a one way system at very short notice, after only discoving the gov't requirement for that last Friday, prior to opening on the Monday after. Its a large park and 20% of their normal visitors would certainly not create a problem spacewise in most areas, though there may be pinch points as visitors do all seem to be converging(and queueing) to see the newest exhibit- Land of the Cold.
Really pleasing on the eye, yet the walrus exhibit is really disappointing. For something that is newly built they are rather small, and I can't imagine them holding any more than 4 animals. Also the way they just seem like a pit where you look down on the animals who have no escape from people, and potentially the sun. The polar bear exhibits look real nice though, although I have a similar issue in regards to the massive concrete walls on one side and massive building on the other that seem to dominate the exhibit.
I heard a report on Radio 4's Today programme this morning - with lots of sound effects from the elephants.
According to PD facebook page a Steller sea lion has been born this Morning - in front of the visitors...
Not really news, but something interesting I found inside the 2018 tag reports. As most of you will know, Pairi Daiza has plans for little penguins. However in the report, it is stated that the second facility to receive them after weymouth would actually be the living coasts. This is already agreed by both the TAG and ZAA. Seen as the reason Weymouth could get them so soon was because another facility in Australia was closing down, I'd suspect it will take some time before we actually are able to see little penguins in Pairi Daiza and definitively a lot longer then they are implying.
PD informed today on their facebook page that since a few days a male polar bear called Beliy who is 4 years old and comes from Budapest is present. Beside that they have opened their hotels and restaurants since yesterday again - with some quite impressive pictures and videos from the new 'Land of Cold' accomondations yet again posted in the last days on their facebook page.
Given that we want to spend a few days at Pairi Daiza later this year we took a look at the accommodations. The prices for some of them are as impressive as those pictures.
I agree that the prices are not low - however when considering what you get for the price I also don't judge it extraordinary... We will stay 2 nights / 3 days end of June (postponed from April) in an appartment with the tiger and 3 nights / 4 days end of July with the walrus. For later this year we'll likely go one more time to stay with the polar bears... A stay of one night for 2 persons is between 400 and 500€ - with respective multiplications if you stay several nights. In case one visitor in the room has a season pass the entire price will be reduced for all participants by 10%. What is included in the price is: One or several nights in the respective appartment Entry to the park and free parking from day of arrival to day of departure Dinner (3 course menu) and breakfast Early entry in the entire park (1 hour prior to gate opening) 24h access to the two worlds 'Last frontier' and 'Land of cold' Free non-alcoholic drinks in the room Welcome gift When considering all this (and when putting individual prices behind) - I still agree that the prices are not cheap however it is worth it for us.
We are probably going to stay in the Paddling Bear Hotel. We don't feel like we absolutely want a room with a view into an animal exhibits. I do agree with you that if you consider what is included in the prices it is in fact worth it.
Two spider tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) have hatched at Pairi Daiza. Source: Pairi Daiza NL Facebook post with images
Male wombat Vacak, age 5, has moved into his new home in the Australian area. Source: Pairi Daiza NL Facebook post with images
According to the PD facebook a bharal has been born today - yet again in front of the visitors.... Security Check Required
Correct, i was in the park within the first hours after the birth... it was already exploring the world around the mother, and looked healty
