There are more than 30 zoos and animal parks in the Netherlands. Most of these belong to the Dutch Animal Park Association (NVD), and the larger ones are also part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Varying greatly in size, shape and popularity, these institutions can be found all around the Netherlands, both in remote nature areas and in the centres of big Dutch cities.
History of the zoos in the Netherlands
Zoos have existed in the Netherlands since 1838. They were initially showpieces for the elite, but were soon welcoming less rich citizens as well. The status and fame that went with showcasing exotic species by far outweighed the welfare of the animals. Many of the older zoos were originally founded by people with no previous expertise in animal care, and grew from curious private collections to generally accessible attractions.
Dutch zoos today
Today, zoos no longer solely serve the purpose of entertainment. The parks educate visitors on the many animal species that roam our world, and form a platform for pursuing animal rights, preservation and welfare, as well as discussing the boundaries between using and abusing nature.
Animal welfare
Since the 19th and 20th century, Europe became ever more aware of the importance of animal welfare, especially in zoos. Cages were replaced by larger habitats, emulating the animals’ natural surroundings. There is still a lot of moral discussion about zoos, as they do contain animals in captivity, often in and near cities.
Breeding programme
One of the ways zoos try to contribute to animal welfare is with breeding programmes, aimed to keep animal numbers up and avoid the extinction of certain species. Many zoos are part of an interconnected network that exchanges possible mates, to diversify the gene pool and the animals’ surroundings. Some of these bred animals can eventually even be released into the wild.
Attractions
Various zoos offer special attractions, such as public feedings, informative exhibitions about the biology, history and habits of the animals, tours, screenings, planetariums, gift shops and even animal performances and shows.
Large zoos and animal parks in the Netherlands
Large zoos and animal parks have a diverse array of species from all parts of the world. The air and temperature are artificially changed to emulate the different conditions the animals are used to.
Artis
Artis was founded on May 1, 1838 under the name Natural Artis Magistra (Nature is the Teacher of Art) by a publisher and a watchmaker. It was one of the first public zoos in Europe, and is located right in the centre of Amsterdam.
Artis started out as a park of 4.800 square metres, including a garden with a pond and a small building. It owned a few apes, deer and parrots, and a naturalia cabinet. In 1839 they purchased the menagerie of a carnival patron, consisting of an elephant, lions, a panther, a tiger, a puma, hyenas, polar bears, brown bears, a zebra, llamas, a kangaroo, a gnu, monkeys and a boa constrictor.
The park also received various animals donated by Dutch civilians in the colonies, in exchange for an honorary membership.
Koninklijke Burgers’ Zoo, Arnhem
Spanning 45 hectares, Koninklijke Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem is one of the Netherlands’ biggest zoos. Per year, more than 1 million people visit the zoo, which is open all year round. Besides the more common park area, Burgers’ Zoo also features spacious and themed indoor ecosystems (eco-displays) that simulate the animals’ natural habitat. There is a safari park (Burgers’ Safari), a 1,5-hectare indoor tropical rainforest (Burgers’ Bush), a mangrove swamp (Burgers’ Mangrove), a 0,75-hectare indoor desert (Burgers’ Desert), a seawater aquarium (Burgers’ Ocean) and a Southeast Asian rainforest (Burgers’ Rimba).
Dierenpark Amersfoort
Dierenpark Amersfoort was built in 1948. It consists of various sections, such as the Giants' Quarters, the second biggest indoor animal enclosure in Europe. The zoo also has the biggest bird park in the Netherlands.
Wildlands Adventure Zoo
Wildlands Adventure Zoo is a new kind of theme park that takes the place of the old Animal Park Emmen, mixing adventure with nature and culture. Choose a habitat, such as the junge or the Poles, and explore spacious animal habitats with a focus on keeping their ecosystems as natural as possible. The elephants, for instance, have an outside area of 4.600 square metres that includes a river where they can swim.
Wildlands pursues sustainable methods. They have a bridge made of biological materials, and their safari trucks run on reused cooking oils.
Diergaarde Blijdorp
Diergaarde Blijdorp is located in northwest Rotterdam. It is over 150 years old, and survived the Rotterdam Blitz due to a relocation. Some of the street names recall the zoo's old location. Blijdorp is the home of the famous gorilla Bokito, who made headlines after breaking out and attacking a woman in 2007.
Safaripark Beekse Bergen
Safaripark Beekse Bergen is a somewhat unique zoo in the Netherlands. With more than 150 animal species across four different habitat areas, it’s the largest animal park in the Benelux. What makes the park so special is the way you view the animals. You can explore the park with your own car, just like going on “safari”. Don’t have a car? No worries! You can also take a guided jeep, boat and bus tour.
Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen
Ouwehands Zoo started out as a chicken farm that kept some exotic animals as a special attraction. Today, it spans 22 hectares. A special feature of the zoo is the Bear Forest, where brown bears that were rescued from abusive owners roam along with wolves in a large wooded plot, complete with a waterfall, rocks and a pond.
General zoos and animal parks per Dutch province
Here is a list of general zoos and animal parks you can find per Dutch province.
Zoos in North Holland
Zoo in South Holland
Zoos in Utrecht province
Zoos and animal parks in North Brabant
Zoo in Flevoland
Zoo in Friesland
Zoo in Groningen
Zoos and animal parks in Drenthe
Zoos and animal parks in Limburg
Specialised zoos and animal parks in the Netherlands
Many zoos specialise in a certain kind of animal, like sea-dwelling creatures or birds. Specialisation makes it easier to study, keep and care for specific animals.
Apenheul
In the 1960s, Rotterdam Photographer Wim Mager bought two monkeys. When they started to reproduce, Mager quit his job and started Apenheul in Apeldoorn. Opened in 1971, Apenheul is the first zoo in the world where some of the monkeys are allowed to roam freely amongst the visitors. So, if you visit, make sure you keep an eye on your possessions!
Over 35 different species of primate from Africa, South-America and Asia can be found in Apenheul. Large species, such as gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans, can’t roam freely but instead live on large, green islands. Thanks to the large enclosures, you can really observe the primates’ natural behaviour.
Scientists visit the park to observe the simians in their relatively free habitat, and a lot of research and information was gained through the park. Apenheul also has its own charity, ANF, that collects money and works for the preservation of apes and their natural surroundings.
Avifauna
Bird park Avifauna has anything from eagles to ostriches. A few red pandas and monkeys aside, the park is almost fully dedicated to the winged and feathered. Dedicating the park to birds, creatures that generally need quite a lot of room to fly around, enables Avifauna to make sure the creatures have more space to move around freely.
Visitor’s fees are fully spent on obtaining the ideals of the park, like providing optimal care for the birds.
Dolfinarium Harderwijk
Dolfinarium Harderwijk is a mix between an animal park and an attraction park. You can admire dolphins, walruses, sea lions, porpoises, seals and fishes, such as sharks. Besides caring for and studying the animals, the park also uses the trained dolphins to give spectacular choreographed shows with 3D water and light effects.
Sea Life Scheveningen
Sea Life Scheveningen is a large aquarium, connected to the international Sea Life brand. Located near the beach, this view into the underwater world shows creatures from various seas and freshwater areas. Underwater tunnels and bubble tanks put the visitors right by the fishes. Sea Life works with marine biologists to "breed, rescue and protect" the world’s oceans, creating breeding programmes to help better understand species.
Seal Rehabilitation Centre Pieterburen
Seal Rehabilitation Centre Pieterburen is not an attraction, but a shelter and care facility that rescues local seals that were dangerously affected, usually by human actions. They also research and educate about seals. The crèche doesn’t keep any animals permanently, and rereleases them into the wild as soon as they are healed. Visitors can see the seals, and special activities event let you swim with them, spot them in the wild and help release them.
Specialised animal parks per Dutch province
Here is a list of specialised zoos and animal parks you can find in the Dutch provinces:
Specialised parks in North Holland
Specialised parks in South Holland
Specialised parks in Utrecht
Specialised parks in Zeeland
Specialised parks in Flevoland
Specialised parks in Friesland
Specialised parks in Groningen
Specialised parks in Overijssel
Specialised parks in Drenthe
Specialised parks in Gelderland
Petting zoos
This page does not include the many petting zoos that can also be found in the Netherlands. These zoos hold less exotic animals such as deer, rabbits, pigs, goats and chickens, that can be fed and petted by visitors. Petting zoos can generally be found in and near forest areas and national parks.