Łączna Zoo may reopen after court denies arrest of director

The legal and operational situation regarding the Łączna Zoo in Mieroszów has shifted following a decision by the prosecutor's office and a court ruling. The Wałbrzych District Court denied a request from the prosecutor to arrest the zoo's director, Marcin Nowaczyk, for three months. Instead, the court imposed police supervision, a 50,000 PLN bail, a travel ban, and prohibited him from entering the zoo premises or contacting staff.

Following these developments, the prosecutor's office announced that its activities regarding the facility have concluded and that employees may return to work. Contrary to previous plans to evacuate all animals, the remaining animals will stay at the zoo. This change follows the withdrawal of several animal welfare foundations from cooperating in the relocation process, as there were concerns regarding who would care for the more than 640 animals on site.

Earlier in the week, 33 animals had been transported to facilities in Belgium and the Netherlands. While there were reports of unrest and confrontations between protesters and police, authorities have denied rumors regarding the death of animals during the intervention.