The global COVID-19 pandemic has been pretty difficult for mostly everyone. Animal parks all over the world are no exception. And with hundreds of them getting closed down during the lockdown, animal park workers have been looking for creative ways to keep the animals entertained, since there are no visitors. For instance, this animal park in Brussels, Belgium decided to make its residents' day a tiny bit more fun by throwing them a little Halloween-themed feast.
More info: pairidaiza.eu
Pairi Daiza is a zoological, botanical, and architectural garden near Brussels
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
"Pairi Daiza is a zoological, botanical, and architectural garden near Brussels, Belgium, in the heart of Europe, that has been voted 'Best zoo of Europe' for 3 years in a row. The park is expanded over 80 hectares, houses over 800 animal species, and is working with over 90 highly threatened animal species for conservation," Mathieu Goedefroy, the spokesman for Pairi Daiza, told Bored Panda.
The zoo has recently been closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
"It has also dozens of conservation ‘ex situ’ projects to help rebuild and protect nature all over the world, in Indonesia (for orangutans), in Brazil (for Spix’ macaws), in China (for giant pandas) and even on the North Pole (for polar bears). Pairi Daiza is all about protecting animals through loving them," Mathieu Goedefroy told us.
Nevertheless, the closing of the park didn't stop its residents from having a wonderful Halloween celebration
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
"In these difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Belgian government has decided to close down all zoos in our country," Goedefroy told us. "That’s why, now more than ever, it is so important to keep our animals entertained, as they will not be able to see any visitors in the following weeks. It was also a nice way for our zoo staff to show their dedication and love for their animal friends in these dark days."
The animals got surprised with a tasty Halloween-themed feast
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Because of the current situation, the staff of the animal park organized a little Halloween-themed feast to keep the animals entertained. "The closing of the zoos in our country, announced by our government, did not stop them from having very tasty Halloween celebrations this morning. Pumpkins, fish, and meat: all was served with a little ‘touch of Halloween,'" Goedefroy told us.
The walruses got frozen fish and frozen mussels with a nice Halloween-themed message
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
"Our walruses got frozen fish and frozen mussels with a nice Halloween-themed message, same for our Steller sea lions. Then again, our beavers, gorillas and elephants just love the simple taste of pumpkins, so we did not have to provide them with any ‘specials.’ For our bears and wolves, we decided to stuff the pumpkins with delicious chicken parts, their favourite!" the spokesman of the zoo told Bored Panda.
"Our beavers, gorillas, and elephants just love the simple taste of pumpkins," the spokesperson of the zoo told us
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
"All of them seemed really enthusiastic. The elephants started a stampede and crushed the pumpkins with their huge feet, before eating them. The wolves and bears made it a contest to collect and eat as much pumpkins as possible, and the walruses even decided to take their food in the water and play with it before eating it!" Mathieu Goedefroy told us.
"The wolves and bears made it a contest to collect and eat as much pumpkins as possible"
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
Image credits: Pairi Daiza animal park
"We hope they all enjoyed it to the maximum in their own, special ways!" the spokesperson expressed his excitement.
Here's what people on the internet are saying about this little Halloween celebration
And even though most people loved the initiative, some expressed quite different opinions
