23 Jan '17
Photo of the week: Neck & neck
Summary
See this week's best photo as chosen by the editors at Flanders Today
Neck & neck
Baby S and mum Megara face the cameras together for the first time at Planckendael animal park in Mechelen. The giraffe – sex as yet unknown – was born last week, measuring 1.75m tall.
Photo: Planckendael/Jonas Verhulst
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Planckendael
Together with Antwerp Zoo, Planckendael is one of Flanders’ two major animal parks. Located in Mechelen, the park was originally established as a refuge for tired and injured animals from the Antwerp Zoo.
History - In 1956, the Royal Society of Animals of Antwerp (KMDA) bought the Planckendael estate, which was built in 1780. The animal park opened four years later.
Expansion - As part of a new €5-million master plan, Planckendael recently introduced a new theme continent (America), updated several animal complexes and grounds and is welcoming entirely new species starting this year.
Sustainable - Every year since 2011, the park has been awarded the Green Key international eco-label for its sustainability efforts. It is one of only nine attractions in Flanders to carry the label.
42
surface area in hectares
810 000
annual visitors in 2012
33
Flemish government KMDA subsidy for 2012-2016 period in millions of euros
