Launch of Europe’s first virtual zoo
24 July 2023
GAIA – https://www.gaia.be/en
WAV comment – I (Mark) want to personally thank GAIA President Michel Vandenbosch for all his wonderful work and a life completely devoted to the welfare of animals. I first encountered a young Michel back in the 80’s when we were campaigning at EU headquarters, Brussels, for ban on veal crates.
Michel has over the years led GAIA to become a real primary voice for the voiceless in Europe, and he deserves credit for all the work he has undertaken for deacades relating to his devotion to animal welfare.
Here is the photo (below) I took back in the 80’s at that Brussels veal crate demo – you can see Michel on the left.
This virtual zoo is yet another of Micel’s wonderful contributions to the bettering of welfare for animals, Thank you Michel.
Above – GAIA President Michel Vandenbosch
Related:
On Wednesday 19 July, GAIA inaugurated the first virtual reality zoo alongside Prince Laurent of Belgium and Bernard Clerfayt, Brussels Minister for Animal Welfare. This zoo of the future immerses visitors in wild habitats in virtual reality, allowing them to observe all kinds of animals, from tigers and penguins to giraffes and elephants.
Several million wild animals are kept in captivity in the 10,000 zoos currently counted around the world. Locked up in enclosures infinitely smaller than their natural habitat, in artificial environments that have little to do with their original savannah or forest, the animals suffer.
Many of them develop stereotypies (abnormal repetitive behaviour, a sign of psychological suffering). Boredom and frustration drive animals to incessant pacing, constant rocking, compulsive grooming and self-mutilation.
GAIA’s idea is simple: rather than observing polar bears pacing on a fake concrete ice floe, or bored monkeys in a glass enclosure, it would be better to get to know them while respecting their freedom.
In GAIA’s new virtual zoo, we will be able to admire wild animals evolving freely in their environment without being disturbed by visitors. This initiative could significantly reduce the number of animals kept in zoos, especially where minimum welfare standards cannot be met.
The value of this initiative also outweighs the educational benefits of zoos, where visitors cannot learn the natural behaviours of wild animals. Besides exotic animals, there are thousands of wild animals that can be observed, with patience and precaution, close to your home.
25/07 Brussels (Place de la Monnaie)
28/07 Leuven (Place de l’ange)
02/08 Hasselt (Molenpoortplein)
09/08 Mons (location to be confirmed)
10/08 Liège (location to be confirmed)
Regards Mark
World Animals Voice 
