Belgium's first manatees arrive at Pairi Daiza
Pairi Daiza has welcomed its first two manatees to the fresh water pond of Edenya. They are the only representatives of this rare species in Belgium.
An exceptional arrival at Edenya
Two five-year-old males have joined the Park: Cuango, from ZooParc de Beauval, arrived on April 10, followed by Ambroży, who arrived from Wroclaw Zoo on April 17. Both are currently acclimatising gently to their new environment.
Two other manatees will soon complete the group.
A rare and emblematic species
The Caribbean manatee is a protected species, peaceful and majestic, weighing up to 500 kg. Rare in European parks, they now discover in the vast tropical fresh water pools of Edenya, the largest tropical greenhouse in the world.
"It's always with great emotion that we welcome a new species to Pairi Daiza. We have waited for the best possible conditions to be met to ensure the transport of the manatees, with the greatest respect for their well-being. We hope that they will touch the hearts of our visitors and awaken in everyone a greater awareness of the need to protect these species", explains Antoine Lebrun, General Deputy Managing Director of Pairi Daiza.
A concrete scientific commitment to conservation
Between 2024 and 2025, the Pairi Daiza Foundation supported a research programme dedicated to the The Caribbean manatee, conducted with the University of British Columbia and Tiergarten Nürnberg. The aim was to identify the key areas where priority action should be taken to ensure the survival of the species. The project has listed nearly 1,900 presence data and produced reliable maps of favourable habitats and priority conservation areas. These results have highlighted strategic areas in several countries, particularly around estuaries, river mouths. Coastal areas remain relatively unaffected. The report now provides a concrete basis for guiding protection decisions and conservation actions on the ground.
Extending the experience at the heart of Edenya
From 9 AM on 21 April, visitors wishing to extend their experience at Pairi Daiza will be able to book one of the 80 accommodations available in Edenya, for stays between 1 June 2026 and 2 January 2027. The 8 rooms offering a view of the manatees will open at a later date, once the animals have fully adapted to their new environment.
Lucky visitors may already be able to observe them from the unique underwater restaurant The Abyss.
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Pairi Daiza at a glance?
Here, nature, architecture, and cultures from around the world create a journey across 80 hectares of gardens.
Pairi Daiza has grown so vast and diverse that a single day is not enough to experience its full richness.
That is why we invite you to take your time. Two days. One night.
An immersive experience Pairi Daiza, for you and 1 to 3 guests, to discover Edenya and the Park’s 9 other worlds, in the context of preparing an article or report.
Your press visit can be arranged over the next three months.
Johan Vreys