Photographers Koen and Galina were left grinning from ear to ear after capturing a series of playful underwater portraits of a curious walrus at Pairi Daiza in Belgium.
The pair said the walrus swam right up to the viewing glass and repeatedly returned to interact with visitors, creating a rare and memorable encounter. While walruses are often seen feeding, resting or playing with one another, they said this particular moment stood out because the animal seemed just as interested in the people watching from the other side of the glass.
Koen and Galina described the atmosphere around the habitat as calm and joyful, with visitors gathering to admire the huge but lovable marine mammal. They praised Pairi Daiza’s underwater viewing area, saying the large windows and natural light provide excellent opportunities to observe the walruses and their behaviour while also allowing the animals to engage with visitors.
The photographers, who regularly visit the zoo and enjoy photographing animals as a way of preserving memories from their travels, said it took multiple visits over several years before they experienced a moment quite like this one. When the walrus kept returning to the glass in perfect light, they knew they had witnessed something special.
Images by: Pairi Daiza/Galina/Koen/TwoPointO Media
