De Oliemeulen, Animal park in Tilburg, Netherlands
De Oliemeulen is an animal park in Tilburg, the Netherlands, that houses reptiles, primates, birds of prey, and meerkats across a compact site. The enclosures are arranged so that all areas can be reached on foot without covering long distances.
The park started in 1987 as a reptile house set inside an old farmhouse. It grew from there, adding mammals and birds from 1992 onward, gradually becoming the animal park it is today.
De Oliemeulen is known for letting visitors touch and handle animals such as snakes and spiders during guided sessions. This kind of direct contact is uncommon for a zoo of this size and makes the visit especially memorable for children.
The park is open every day and easy to get around on foot, as the grounds are compact and well signposted. It is worth planning extra time to attend the animal handling sessions, which run at set times throughout the day.
During the birds of prey shows, eagles and falcons land directly on visitors' arms, which is an unusually close way to meet these animals. The sessions take place outdoors, so the birds can be seen in full flight before they land.
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