WILLEMSTAD – The reopening of Curaçao Zoo has been postponed, with the animal park now expected to reopen in January instead of this week. The zoo had initially planned to reopen last Monday, but too much work remains to be completed.
Curaçao Zoo was closed earlier this year by then-interim Minister of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN) Roderick Middelhof (MFK) after serious concerns were raised about animal welfare conditions.
During a site visit, the minister observed that animals were being fed too late, housed together in cages that were too small, and that deceased animals were present within the park. The findings led to the immediate closure of the zoo and the appointment of a temporary management structure.
In November, responsibility for the park was transferred to the Executive Organization for Veterinary Affairs (Uitvoeringsorganisatie Veterinaire Zaken – UOVZ). The agency has been tasked with improving conditions at the zoo and preparing the way for the possible appointment of a new long-term operator.
Although the goal had been to reopen the zoo earlier this week, authorities determined that the necessary improvements had not yet been completed. As a result, the reopening has been rescheduled for January, once the remaining work has been finalized and conditions meet required standards.