AquaZoo Friesland to work on arrival of polar bears

Visitors to AquaZoo Friesland will come face to face with polar bears starting in May 2016. The Leeuwarden zoo is busy preparing for the construction of a brand new enclosure. They are also working hard elsewhere in the park. For example, at the lake with adjacent stand from which the public can enjoy a sea lion show starting at Easter.

The polar bear enclosure will have an area of about 5,000 square meters and will require an investment of 325,000 euros. How many polar bears will be on display starting in May and where they will come from is not yet known. "We have a request outstanding within the European breeding program. So we have to wait and see about that. But we also have polar bears in one of our other zoos, so that is also an option," said facility manager Martin van Hees. The polar bear enclosure will be situated at the front of the park on the plot where the forest dogs, which have now moved to ZooParc Overloon, and the children's farm used to be located.

Sea Lions

Gardeners and earthworkers are busy elsewhere in the park doing pruning work to give the park a more open look. Dense banks of the various waterways are also being addressed. "It already looks very nice. Just imagine how beautiful it will be when spring arrives," says Van Hees. He is delighted with the arrival of five sea lions at AquaZoo Friesland. "Visitors will soon be able to see how these animals are cared for during an educational show." The realization of the sea lion enclosure with stand involves about 80,000 euros.

Hippos and crocodiles

AquaZoo Friesland wants to continue investing in the coming years. From 100,000 visitors per year now, the park first wants to grow to 150,000 and later possibly 200,000 visitors per year. "We will therefore continue to invest in this park. Friesland deserves a beautiful zoo with appealing animal species. We also want the Frisians themselves to be proud of AquaZoo Friesland, "said Van Hees, who is betting on the arrival of hippos and Nile crocodiles in 2017.

Beaver rat born

AquaZoo Friesland also discovered Monday that a beaver rat had been born. "Our keepers suddenly saw a little one scurrying around. The cub is also easy for visitors to see through the viewing window overlooking the beaver rat den. Very nice to see! They are beautiful animals too," says Van Hees.