The entire zoo's canopy walkway is closed after the 'caterpillar from hell' was found in the trees, the director reports.
'We want to be on the safe side. Guests come to feel comfortable, and we cannot risk children getting stinging hairs on them,' says director of Odense Zoo, Bjarne Klausen.
By Lisa Scheper Thunø ( [email protected] ) 16 minutes ago
It was certainly not the intention that Odense Zoo this morning could add another animal species to the collection.
A single nest with oak processionary caterpillars has been found in the zoo's attraction 'Bøgetoppen'.
Therefore, the 252-meter-long walkway at a height of 12 meters is now closed to guests while ensuring that there are no more caterpillars on the trees.
'Our employee, who checks the safety of Bøgetoppen every day, discovered a nest at a height of four meters. It has now been removed, and none of our guests have so far reported any discomfort,' says director of Odense Zoo Bjarne Klausen.
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Understanding among the youngest
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Although the closure of 'Bøgetoppen' especially annoys the zoo's youngest guests, they also understand the seriousness.
'I'm a bit glad that they are closing it off, because if one crawls down on you, it's not so fun either,' says Lukas Dam Fischer from Horsens, who had been looking forward to walking among the treetops.
* Lukas Dam Fischer, who visited Odense Zoo with his little brother and father, had talked about 'Bøgetoppen' all the way from Horsens. (Photo: © Thomas Dinsen)
* Luna Polisi Hansen and her mother are happy that Odense Zoo is taking precautions. (Photo: © Thomas Dinsen)
1 / 2 Lukas Dam Fischer, who visited Odense Zoo with his little brother and father, had talked about 'Bøgetoppen' all the way from Horsens. (Photo: © Thomas Dinsen) 1 / 2 Luna Polisi Hansen and her mother are happy that Odense Zoo is taking precautions. (Photo: © Thomas Dinsen) 2 / 2
Also Luna Polisi Hansen, who has visited 'Bøgetoppen' many times with her family, is completely okay with skipping it.
'It doesn't matter much. I can understand why they are doing it, because it shouldn't be that someone gets affected. We don't want that.'
According to the director, 'Bøgetoppen' will be open to guests again as early as tomorrow. Until then, you can still safely visit the zoo, he tells DR.
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