Planckendael reopens petting farm with welfare-first rules
After nearly a decade-long hiatus, ZOO Planckendael in Mechelen, Belgium has reopened its petting farm to the general public, introducing a redesigned space where animal welfare takes priority over visitor access. The new experience, which opened in late July 2026, gives animals the freedom to choose whether they want human contact.
Why the petting farm closed
The zoo originally closed its petting farm to the general public in July 2017 following repeated incidents of visitor misconduct. According to De Morgen, the problems included visitors grabbing goats by the horns, placing children on alpacas for photographs, chasing goats in groups, throwing chickens, and pulling on goat udders.
“The respect for our animals was sometimes far to seek,” said Ilse Segers, the zoo’s spokesperson at the time, who emphasized that animal welfare must come first. After the closure, the petting farm was only accessible during guided tours and birthday parties.
A welfare-first redesign
Over the intervening years, ZOO Planckendael invested in a complete redesign of the petting farm, putting animal choice and comfort at the center of the new layout. The renovated facility now features elevated zones where animals can retreat above the public, sheltered stables for full withdrawal, and climbing structures including a bridge for the goats.
“There are now shielded zones in the farm where the animals can find peace and thus indicate that they do not want to be petted,” Amanda Wielemans, spokesperson for ZOO Planckendael, told VRT NWS. “Flemish legislation for zoos prescribes that there must be supervision in every walk-through enclosure.”
Currently, the petting farm is home to donkeys Guido and Urbanis, approximately eight goats, chickens, and roosters. The zoo plans to add five dwarf goats, turkeys, and pigeons in the coming weeks.
New rules and ranger supervision
The zoo has established clear, simple rules for visitors: if an animal walks away, visitors must let them go. Chasing animals, tail pulling, and feeding are strictly prohibited, as the animals receive a balanced diet from the zoo.
To enforce these guidelines, trained volunteer rangers monitor the enclosure. “We watch to see if children are not chasing the animals, because that causes them stress,” ranger Glenn D’Hoogh explained to VRT NWS. “If children approach the goats and chickens calmly, they will become calm themselves and then they will likely allow themselves to be petted.”
Animal keeper Charlotte Coupaud summarized the philosophy simply: “If they stay standing, you may pet them. If they walk away, you must let them go,” she told Het Laatste Nieuws.
A model for modern zoos
The reopening at Planckendael represents a notable shift in how zoos manage visitor-animal interactions. Rather than permanently closing the petting farm — as many zoos have done globally due to welfare concerns — Planckendael invested in architectural solutions that give animals agency over their environment.
This choice and control approach, increasingly recognized in modern zoo practice, balances the public’s desire for animal contact with ethical considerations. The use of trained volunteer rangers who educate rather than merely enforce rules turns the petting farm into an educational experience about animal boundaries and respect.
The reopening comes during a milestone year for the zoo: 2026 marks ZOO Planckendael’s 70th anniversary. Earlier this year, the zoo opened a completely new entrance zone featuring Europe’s tallest bamboo tower, standing 28 meters high.
What to watch for
The success of the redesigned petting farm could influence other zoos facing similar challenges. It remains to be seen whether other KMDA zoos, such as ZOO Antwerpen, will adopt similar welfare-oriented designs. The zoo has not yet announced formal plans to evaluate the new design’s impact on animal stress levels, but the initial public response has been overwhelmingly positive.
For now, visitors to Planckendael can once again enjoy the unique experience of interacting with farm animals — but strictly on the animals’ own terms.