Belgian Authorities Order Closure of 16 Pakawi Park Enclosures

Belgian authorities ordered the closure of sixteen enclosures at Pakawi Park in the northern province of Antwerp on October 16, 2026, citing persistent safety and hygiene violations affecting approximately 150 animals, according to reporting by the EFE news agency and the local newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen.

Key Clinical Takeaways:
• Flemish Animal Welfare Ben Weyts issued an ultimatum requiring the zoo to resolve extensive facility deficiencies by November 15, 2026.
• The enforcement action splits the closure into five temporary suspensions and eleven permanent authorizations revocations affecting species including giraffes, an elephant, and a brown bear.
• Pakawi Park remains open to the general public despite regional inspectors noting that authorities evaluated revoking the park’s entire operational license earlier in March.

Ultimatum Issued by Flemish Animal Welfare Minister Ben Weyts

The enforcement directive forces a strict operational split across the facility. Flemish Animal Welfare Ben Weyts established a firm deadline of November 15 for the park administration to correct a long series of structural and sanitary deficiencies. Regional inspectors documented severe risks spanning multiple species habitats, prompting immediate administrative intervention.

Immediate Suspension of Five Animal Enclosures

Five specific enclosures face temporary suspension under the regional order. These habitats house a tiger, a cheetah, a palm nut vulture, vipers, and roughly one hundred birds. Regional authorities confirmed that these five zones are permitted to resume public exhibition only if park management successfully rectifies all flagged safety irregularities before subsequent re-inspection.

Permanent Revocation and Relocation of Eleven Species Habitats

Eleven additional enclosures lose their operational permits permanently without a path to reinstatement at the current location. This definitive measure impacts large and vulnerable mammals and reptiles, including giraffes, an elephant, panteras, servals, a brown bear, a hyena, a crocodile, and meerkats. According to EFE reporting, these specific animals must be transferred urgently to alternative certified establishments.

Authorities Targeted Sub-Standard Enclosures During Partial Closure

The facility maintains regular operating hours for visitors despite the ongoing enforcement actions. EFE coverage highlights that regional authorities already weighed pulling the complete operational license for the entire zoo during evaluations conducted in March. The current partial closure represents a targeted enforcement phase focused strictly on sub-standard animal enclosures rather than a full administrative shutdown of the enterprise.