A first in Europe! A zoo without cages, bars, neither captive animals. It is the bet of the zoo of the future, an unprecedented experience launched by the animal defense association Gaia. Located at Brussels Maritime Gare, this place will open its doors on September 9 and will remain accessible until December 30, 2025.
Total immersion in virtual reality
Here, there is no question of admiring a lion behind a window. Visitors will be invited to put on a virtual reality headset to dive into the heart of different life -size ecosystems. Lush jungle, African savannah or icy tundra: each environment has been modeled in 3D and 360 °, with virtual animals evolving freely around the public. Tigers, elephants, penguins or gorillas will thus appear as if they were really present, but without undergoing the slightest captivity.
The concept is part of a clear logic: to offer an alternative to traditional zoos. For Gaia, it is not a question of cutting the public from the animal contact, but of raising it differently. Thanks to the VR, spectators will be able to observe natural behavior impossible to reproduce in captivity, while benefiting from educational content on the preservation of species and habitats. The association thus hopes to provoke as much wonder as awareness.
A technological and sensory experience unique in Europe
Beyond the simple projection, the zoo of the future is betting on a mixture of immersive technologies: virtual reality, augmented reality, holographic projections and interactive environments. The objective is to offer a feeling of total immersion, as if we really shared the vital space of animals. An approach that aims to be as spectacular as it is innovative, adapted to a family audience.
If some museums or parks have already experienced interactive devices, none had pushed the concept of virtual zoo without real animals so far. This European first could inspire other initiatives, while the question of animal welfare in captivity remains a sensitive subject.
With this opening, Brussels hopes to attract passionate new technologies as much as families in search of responsible leisure. It remains to be seen if this formula will have been convincing the public for a long time …
Practical info
- Dates: from September 9 to December 30, 2025
- Location: Brussels Maritime Gare
- Hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.)
- Prices: from € 12 for children and € 18 for adults (discounts available for families and school groups)
- Ticketing: online booking recommended on the official website of the future zoo
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