New lionesses in Bellewaerde can go outside for the first time: « They don’t dare to go further than the train tracks » (Ypres)

« They don’t dare get beyond the train tracks. » Pieter Vercruysse, operational manager and curator of the park, sees on Thursday afternoon how the lionesses are stretched along the tracks of the train that takes visitors through the outdoor residence during the opening hours of the park. This weekend the park will open its doors again and Saturday is already sold out.

« But our visitors will not see the lionesses this weekend, » says Pieter. « After the weekend we want to give them another week to get used to their country retreat before we also allow them during the opening hours of the park and introduce our visitors. The first exploration of this stay may be called a success. The leader stepped out and the rest followed. They felt fairly calm so the habituation runs smoothly on the first day. »

Read too. Bellewaerde has three lions again with Nestor, Numa and Maya: « It went fast, hopefully they get offspring »

Nestor, the only male leeuw, will be able to admire this weekend as before. « There was already an introduction between Nestor and the lionesses on their courtyard. Along a double -walled, transparent mesh closing they could already see, hear and smell each other. »

« The first physical contact is not yet immediately. That depends on their pace. The lionesses are only more than a year and a half, that is too young. Only after a few months do they get Krols. The first physical introduction will happen in consultation with our carers, specialists and the coordinator of the breeding program. Perhaps they are only introduction. »