Twelve naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) have been born at Pairi Daiza so far this winter. Pairi Daiza has four colonies, totaling about 100 animals, in its underground crypt area. Pairi Daiza NL Facebook post
One of the two walrus females has been sent back to Hagenbeck with the hopes she will be impregnated there. Regardless of the outcome of this move, it’s only temporary and she will return to PD later this year.
There is only a six week breeding window apparently. Anyone know what the situation with the third ex Valencia female (that stayed in Hamburg) is. Is she pregnant from last year's mating?
The Dolfinarium bull is perfectly capable, but there have been no babies there in years. There have, however, been a few births at Hagenbeck in the last few years and that’s why Pairi Daiza opt to send her to Hamburg rather than Harderwijk.
Ah okay thanks! I just wondered since Hagenbeck always talks of Odin being the only breeding bull in Europe.. but this explains it.
A few months ago the zoo received 4,2 mountain chickens (Leptodactylus fallax) from Aquazoo Düsseldorf, they hope to breed with this species in the near future. Source (In Dutch): Log into Facebook
Gentoo penguins arrived from Munich. I don't know exactly how many but the article states that Munich's 6 departed towards Pairi Daiza and L'Oceanografic. So, what's the current status of Pairi Daiza's antarctic penguin plans/constructions? Source (in german): Tierpark Hellabrunn
After yesterday's decision of the Consultative Committee of the Belgian federal and regional governments, Pairi Daiza has announced that the park and resort will finally reopen on Saturday February 13th. The closure begun on November 2nd 2020. All indoor spaces and restaurants will remain closed (take-away foods will be available) wearing a mask will be mandatory in the entire park, the same safety measures that were in place in the summer and fall of 2020 will again be in place and there will be a limited visitor capacity that will be strictly monitored. All visitors will have to reserve a time slot. Log into Facebook Pairi Daiza: uw bezoek of overnachting in alle veiligheid
A first impression from the penguin-cave has also been leaked to the public (in the mailing from Pairi Daiza to the members). See 519b9031-ab91-4b1a-8cc0-7bcc2ea24f15 for a bigger impression.
I looked at the photo and I am not sure what to make of the cave with icicles hanging down. Does this represent reality in any way? I mean (and this is an honest question) are there any places in the wild where penguins live in caves? (Not sure which species they are getting).
Looks very fake, as does the rest of the mock rock of the area. Really not a fan of this extension of the zoo.
I have read on the Dutch Zooinside Facebook page and on the Laafsekikkers zoo forum that this exhibit will house gentoo penguins. To me the actual penguin exhibit space does not look too bad, although the dimensions are difficult to judge from a photo. But I did notice that the difference in height between the edge of the water and the rocky coast and between the two leves of the rocky beach seems to fairly low, and the rocky cliffs also seem rather steep. To me it will remain to be seen how well the penguins will be able to get around. With regards to the cave theming, that in my opinion is just typical over-the-top Pairi Daiza theming. It in no way represents the habitat of Subantarctic penguins. I will however have to see the exhibit to judge just how distracting or counterproductive it may be, but personally I would have prefered if they had just invested in a top Subantarctic penguin facility, say something along the lines of Antwerp or Rotterdam.
The cave for the penguins is only visible (due covid-restrictions) for visitors who booked a night in the penguinroom from the resort. On Laafsekikkers there is a impression from the penguin-cave, one of the forum-members stayed in this penguin(hotel)room. Fake snow, real snow, daylight... and a 'open' exhibit as the glass wall isn't closed up to the ceiling (as in Eismeer/ Hagenbeck). We see it all on Nieuwstopic Pairi Daiza (2021) - Pagina 8 - Laafsekikkers.be
Both the male wombat as koala are dead according to fangroups on facebook. Both species still have one female in the park. At this moment the koala-house is closed due to covid-restrictions.
