Video: Snowfall thrills polar bears as Dutch zoos adjust operations for winter weather

Polar bears reveled in fresh snowfall Monday at Dutch zoos in Rotterdam and Rhenen, where winter conditions prompted limited safety measures but left most animals free to roam outdoors if they chose.

At Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam, polar bears and Arctic foxes were visibly energized by the snow. The zoo’s spokesperson joked that the animals were “beside themselves” with excitement. “They love it,” the spokesperson said.

Despite the winter weather, the zoo otherwise operated as normal. Giraffes were kept indoors as a precaution.

Most animals at Blijdorp are allowed to decide whether to stay inside or go outdoors. “Where possible, we leave the choice to the animals themselves,” the spokesperson said. Cold-adapted species such as the manul, a wild cat largely native to Russia, were unfazed by the weather. Other animals also remained active. “Even the zebras came happily trotting toward us,” the spokesperson said.

At Ouwehands Dierenpark in Rhenen, polar bears were also among the animals enjoying the snowy conditions, alongside giant pandas and Amur tigers. Most animals in the park were also free to choose whether to remain indoors or go outside. The winter weather also marked a first for the Amur tiger triplets born earlier this year, which experienced snow for the first time.

The zoo closed the outdoor bird enclosure after a thick layer of snow accumulated on the netting. “It’s such a thick layer that, for safety reasons, we’re keeping the birds inside,” a spokesperson said. Several paths were temporarily closed due to slippery conditions, including the wooden bridge over the Berenbos.