Zoo Rating: Dierenpark Emmen

Dierenpark Emmen

Emmen, The Netherlands

 

 

About the zoo

Dierenpark Emmen, formerly known as Noorderdierenpark Emmen, is a Dutch zoo that opened it’s doors in  1935. In 2011, it’s voted as best zoo in the BeNeLux (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg). The zoo will move from the centre of the city to the edge. The new zoo will open in 2015. It will be called WILDLANDS, Adventure Zoo Emmen.

1. Species

Dierenpark Emmen houses about 160 species of animals. Most of these are quite common in zoos, and there aren’t any special species at all why you should definitly visit the zoo. They attract visitors with their Asian Elephants group, and the zoos has the biggest Humboldt Penguin group in the world. In the past the zoo housed Kodiak bears, which were quite special in The Netherlands. In 2011, the last bear died and Spectacled bears joined the zoo instead.

Score: 6.5

2. Animal welfare

There are hardly any negative sounds about the animal welfare in Dierenpark Emmen. This is with the exception of the South American Sea Lions group, which all got killed by a virus in 2006, and the death of Elephant Annabel which fell into the ditch of the exhibit in 2009. The enclosures in the zoo are spacious and not too crowed by animals.

Score: 7.5

3. Construction

For the visitors, Dierenpark Emmen is a feast for the eyes. There are hardly any (disturbing) fences in view and the animals are very well visable. Next to that, there are some walkthrough enclosures and a glass house that contains various species.

Score: 8

4. Accommodations

Dierenpark Emmen has got 2 big restaurants and two smaller facilities. The entrance is in a building called the Biochron, which is also used  as museum, aquarium and butterly house. Next to the entrance is a zooshop. The new part of Dierenpark Emmen, which was opened before with 3 enclosures and a building, called Yukatan, is now unavaiable to public due to operations, but will open again with the new zoo in 2015. Yukaten is a big indoor playground which also houses some reptiles and a bat cave. There are some more indoor facilities, e.a. an African and an Asian House, as well as the big glass house called the AmeriCasa.

Score: 7.5

5. Education

With the Biochron and a smaller water plant in the newer part (also closed) Dierenpark Emmen definitly does something with education. Next to that, each animal has got it’s own ‘passport’ next to the enclosures with information.

Score: 7

6. Interaction

With the exception of some feeding presentations there isn’t much about interaction in Dierenpark Emmen. There are some events now and then, but in most cases they don’t have anything to zoo with the animals.

Score: 6

 

7. Total Score: 7.1

Dierenpark Emmen isn’t very special compared to other Dutch zoos, but you’ll definitly enjoy yourself there for a day. If you just like to see animals in a nice and spacious environment, Dierenpark Emmen definitely fits you. If you’re more searching for special species, it might not be the best zoo around. But, then still, Dierenpark Emmen is worth visiting once.

Gerben, 03/05/2014.