Pairi Daiza CEO Slams ‘Ideological Wall’ Against Science
In a wide-ranging interview published Monday, Pairi Daiza founder and CEO Éric Domb launched a blistering critique of what he describes as an “ideological wall” that opposes observable scientific reality, defending the role of modern zoos in conservation while reflecting on a turbulent period that saw him renounce an 11.5 million euro public subsidy. The interview, conducted by Antonin Marsac and Anne Masset for La Libre Belgique, touches on conservation, public perception, and the future of zoos in an era of growing ideological polarization.
The Controversy That Sparked a Debate
The interview comes in the wake of a major political firestorm. In December 2025, the Walloon government granted Pairi Daiza an 11.5 million euro subsidy and a temporary property tax exemption for the construction of “La Lagune,” a planned 106 million euro aquatic park. Opposition parties immediately denounced the subsidy as a “cadeau” (gift) to a profitable private enterprise, igniting weeks of public debate.
On May 21, 2026, Domb announced that Pairi Daiza would renounce the subsidy entirely, choosing instead to finance the aquatic park through its own funds and a loan. “But unfortunately it was enough to associate ‘Pairi Daiza’ with ‘11.5 million in aid’ for a Netflix series of controversy to start,” Domb told La Libre. “So I wanted to put an end to it.”
Walloon Economy Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR) responded by calling the decision a “free and sovereign choice” while acknowledging a deeper problem. “In Wallonia, those who invest and succeed too often have to justify themselves,” Jeholet said. “Through repeated controversies, some create a climate of mistrust that penalizes the entire Region.”
From Abandoned Abbey to European Landmark
Pairi Daiza’s trajectory is remarkable by any measure. Founded in 1994 as Paradisio on the site of an abandoned Cistercian abbey in Brugelette, Hainaut province, the park has grown from a bird sanctuary with 2,500 birds into a 94-hectare zoological park housing 7,500 animals of 800 species. It welcomed 2,866,576 visitors in 2025, making it the most visited leisure park in Belgium — a far cry from the 152,000 visitors it attracted in its opening year.
According to Domb, in 2024 nearly 3,200 families depended on economic activity generated by the park. Pairi Daiza generates 125 million euros in annual tax revenue for Belgium and more than 145 million euros in economic spin-offs.
The park recently inaugurated Edenya (February 2026), the world’s largest tropical greenhouse at 40,000 square meters, representing a 215 million euro investment. That project received only about 4 million euros in subsidies for 275 jobs created, with the rest financed through bank loans and the park’s own capacity.
Conservation Credentials Under Scrutiny
Pairi Daiza is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) and participates in European Endangered Species Programs. Its conservation achievements include successful breeding of the critically endangered Spix’s Macaw, with eight birds released into the wild in Brazil in June 2022, and breeding giant pandas through artificial insemination. The park is one of only two European zoos to house Tasmanian devils and houses one of only two pairs of Spix’s Macaws outside Brazil.
Domb’s defense of modern zoos as conservation institutions comes at a time when zoos face increasing scrutiny from animal rights activists. “There is a kind of ideological wall that opposes observable reality,” Domb said, arguing that critics ignore the scientific and conservation contributions of accredited zoological parks.
A Broader Walloon Malaise
The controversy reflects deeper tensions in Wallonia, the southern French-speaking region of Belgium that has historically faced higher unemployment and lower economic growth compared to Flanders. The MR liberal party generally supports business subsidies as a tool for economic development, while opposition parties — particularly socialists and greens — have criticized them as corporate welfare.
Domb’s concern extends beyond his own business. “My concern is not about Pairi Daiza, but about the state of mind of our Region,” he told La Libre, echoing sentiments he first expressed in a 2024 interview with Trends-Tendances.
What’s Next
The aquatic park “La Lagune” remains scheduled to open in 2027, now financed entirely through private funds. Domb has also hinted at plans for a 12th themed world at the park, though details remain under wraps. The broader question — whether the controversy will influence Walloon economic policy or deter other companies from seeking public investment support — remains open.
As Domb himself put it with characteristic candor in an earlier interview: “I think my friends call me a liar, but I am a sincere liar. I always believe that after this it’s over. But this time, I really believe we still have two worlds to create.”