Geel (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) October 17, 2026 – The municipal authority of Balen has publicly expressed regret over a lack of prior consultation following the decision by Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare Ben Weyts to close sixteen animal enclosures at Pakawi Park in Olmen. While acknowledging the serious nature of concerns surrounding safety, hygiene, and animal welfare, local officials stated they require further explanation regarding the specific findings. The regional enforcement measure affects approximately 150 animals, requiring five enclosures to undergo temporary suspension and eleven others to face permanent license revocations.
The municipality of Balen released an official response expressing disappointment regarding the communication process surrounding the ruling by Flemish Animal Welfare Minister Ben Weyts. Local government representatives noted that while issues pertaining to animal welfare and operational safety are taken seriously, the decision-making process lacked direct consultation with municipal leaders prior to the public announcement. Municipal officials indicated that they hope a sustainable future can still be secured for the zoological park, which serves as an established local employer and tourist facility in the Olmen district.
Under the directive issued by the Flemish Department of Animal Welfare, Pakawi Park must seal off sixteen specific animal enclosures from public access by 15 November 2026. Inspection reports compiled by regional authorities documented recurring structural deficiencies, improper feeding practices, and inadequate hygienic conditions across affected sections. Despite the targeted operational restrictions, the overarching facility permit remains active, allowing more than one hundred other enclosures within the park to continue operating normally for visitors.
The enforcement sanctions imposed by Minister Weyts are split into two distinct administrative categories based on the severity of the inspection findings. The first category involves the temporary suspension of licenses for five enclosures. These suspended areas include the habitats housing a tiger, a cheetah, adders, a palm-nut vulture, and a large walk-in aviary holding approximately 100 birds. Under the terms of the order, these five enclosures will be permitted to reopen to the public once management completes necessary structural remediations and demonstrates full compliance with regional welfare standards.
The second category involves the permanent revocation of operational licenses for eleven enclosures. This measure affects enclosures housing species such as giraffes, an elephant, panthers, a brown bear, and meerkats. Because the permits for these eleven habitats have been formally withdrawn, the animals residing in them must be permanently relocated to alternative accredited facilities or sanctuaries. The park management has been allocated time until 15 November 2026 to execute the closure order and implement the required animal transfers.
The current ministerial order follows a history of regulatory scrutiny concerning the facility, previously known as Olmense Zoo prior to its rebranding as Pakawi Park in June 2019. In October 2017, the entire zoo was temporarily closed after regional authorities revoked its operational license due to widespread animal welfare violations. Following management changes and facility renovations, the zoo obtained a new license and reopened in November 2017. Regional authorities initiated formal license withdrawal proceedings again in early 2026 following an internal inspection report, leading to the latest targeted enforcement measures.
