Pleasure met with excitement as baby white rhino Nova wowed guests at Belgium's Pairi Daiza zoo on her public debut Wednesday. Born on January 2, the rare calf delighted the crowd with energetic jumps and frolics alongside her mother, Ellie. Nova, whose birth adds to the zoo's commitment to wildlife conservation, spent her early days tucked away safely as she gained strength before being introduced to the larger public environment.
According to the Associated Press, Nova’s mother, Ellie, is no stranger to the attention having already raised three other calves successfully. The southern white rhinoceros is classified as endangered, highlighting the significance of their successful breeding within zoological settings.
Pairi Daiza zoo, recognized as the best zoo in Europe, boasts over 800 species and 7,500 animals, making it a prime destination for animal lovers and families. The zoo is continually enhancing its offerings, leading to exciting new developments, as confirmed by spokesperson Claire Gilissen during recent updates.
There have been swirling rumors about the introduction of new attractions, particularly concerning the rumored aquatic park. Initially, speculation arose from images circulating on social media depicting various water slides. Gilissen addressed these claims, stating, "Nous préférons ne pas lever le voile sur ce sujet pour le moment," indicating some upcoming developments are still under wraps but confirmed the existence of plans for water-themed attractions.
What is truly on the horizon is Sanctuary, described by Gilissen as "une serre tropicale où on retrouvera les beautés de la nature et la culture des tropiques." This tropical greenhouse is slated to open in the second half of 2025 and promises to blend rare animals and plants, along with accommodations offering views of the animals.
She emphasized the distinct nature of the future water park, which will be adjacent to Sanctuary, specifying, "il ressemblera à tout sauf à ça." To cultivate a more natural ambiance than typical water parks, plans include innovative hiding of infrastructure, such as piping for water slides.
While some elements related to the water attraction are already under construction, Gilissen cautioned, "Des structures de glisse sont bien arrivées dans le cadre de la réalisation de ce parc aquatique, mais on en est encore bien loin…" This suggests significant work remains before this new venture is realized.
The images circulating online, as clarified by Gilissen, originated from outdated presentations related to Sanctuary's development from early 2021, meaning they may not reflect the current plans. The zoo is continuously adapting its projects, and visuals representing the developments have evolved since then.
Visitors can look forward to experiencing the immersive tropical environments and possibly the aquatic experience following the successful opening of these new structures. Efforts at Pairi Daiza aim not only to entertain but educate, and these plans underline the zoo’s proactive approach to wildlife conservation and visitor engagement.
Overall, with its vibrant mix of attractions and continual development, Pairi Daiza Zoo remains dedicated to creating memorable experiences for its visitors. From the joyful antics of baby Nova to the promise of new attractions, the future looks bright at this beloved Belgian institution.