Commuter fund comes to the rescue of Antwerp's zoos, and the source of the money draws criticism

ZOO Antwerpen and Planckendael will after all receive 2 million euros a year from the Flemish government in 2027, 2028 and 2029. Gazet van Antwerpen reported it first, and director Dries Herpoelaert confirmed it to VRT NWS. The money comes from the Pendelfonds, through which the Flemish government supports employers who encourage sustainable commuting. The fund falls under Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) and has now been shifted to Tourism. It had earlier emerged that the zoos would lose 3.4 million euros a year from 2027; an annual shortfall of 1.4 million euros remains, and according to Herpoelaert staff cuts will be unavoidable.

The shift is raising questions. De Standaard points out that the money does not come from the ministers responsible for the zoos but from the Antwerp-based mobility minister.