Artis Zoo becomes world’s first zoo to be certified Urban Night Sky Place

Artis Zoo in Amsterdam has officially been certified as an Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International. This makes Artis the first zoo in the world to be recognised for its efforts to reduce light pollution in an urban environment. 

Amsterdam zoo an ambassador for darkness

Light pollution can affect not only human health, but also disrupts biological rhythms and disorients animals, and in large urban cities like Amsterdam, it can be almost impossible to escape. But there is one oasis of darkness in the bright lights of the Dutch capital: Artis Zoo.

DarkSky International has officially named the Dutch zoo an Urban Night Sky Place, a location which protects darkness through responsible lighting policies and public education. Artis is not only the first location in the heart of a European capital city to receive the title, but also the very first zoo. 

“The fact that, in a zoo, right in the heart of the bright city of Amsterdam, the night sky is being protected and its importance can be explained to a wide audience is incredibly valuable,” DarkSky International representative Dan Oakley said in an announcement. “This benefits not only residents and visitors, but also the animals. Hopefully, other city zoos will follow Artis' example and more DarkSky locations will emerge in the Netherlands.”

Artis zoo to give visitors the opportunity to explore the dark

To qualify for the title of an Urban Night Sky Place, Artis had to remove unnecessary light fixtures and implement measures to reduce energy use and preserve natural light conditions. As part of the certification, the animal park will also educate the public about the importance of darkness.

Starting this winter, Artis is offering a wide range of activities where zoo visitors can “experience the power of the night”. During exclusive evenings in December and January, a select number of guests can walk through the park at night and sharpen their senses in the dark. There might even be night vision goggles involved! A limited number of tickets for “Dark in Artis” are available and will cost 18 euros for adults and 10 euros for children aged 12 and under.