Zoo Rating: Zooparc Overloon

Zooparc Overloon

Overloon, The Netherlands

 

 

About the zoo

Zooparc Overloon is the biggest of the three Zodiac Zoos in the Netherlands. With about 50 species, it isn’t a very big zoo in species, but with 21 acres it does have a lot space. It opened in 2000 and is one of the newest zoos in the Netherlands.

1. Species

Zooparc Overloon isn’t a typical zoo that houses your typical zoo animals, such as elephants and giraffes. They focus mainly on smaller species, but they do have some special ones. For example the Crab-eating Racoons, which are in the Netherlands only on-show in Overloon and its sister-park Dierenpark de Wissel. Next to that, they also house Pygmy hippos, Bamboo Lemurs, Crowned Lemurs and Goitered gazelles.

Score: 7.5

2.  Animal welfare

The animal care at Overloon is top-notch, with very few deaths and a lot of births of special species (i.e. Crab-eating Racoons and Pygmy hippos). The animals have a lot of space, so not much to worry about.

Score: 8.5

3. Construction

Overloon is quite woody and that gives an amazing atmosphere to the zoo. Like the other Zodiac zoos, it’s very different from other Dutch zoos. Everything looks neat, partly because it’s quite a new zoo. The next 4 years they plan to expand even more.

Score: 7.5

4. Accommodations

Because the zoo isn’t that big, they only have one restaurant and only one toilet facility (at said restaurant). The zoo is divided into two ‘trails’, which both end at the restaurant. They do have a picnic field and a playground for kids.

Score: 6.5

5. Education

Each day there are 6 feeding presentations where the zookeepers will tell you a lot about thespecies. Of course there are also the well known signs. Out of own experience I found out that the zookeepers will tell a lot from themselves too, when meeting them without having a presentation. At some enclosures, they have more, bigger signs and a special cart. For example at the cheetahs, where a special ‘Cheetah Cart’ is placed with an employee who answers all questions.

Score: 7.5

6. Interaction

Having three walkthrough enclosures at the zoo, the zoo definately have some interaction. They are also working on a flight show.

Score: 7

Total score: 7.4

If you’re a bit tired of the regular zoo animals, Zoo Parc Overloon is perfect for you. Even if not, it’s still a beautiful zoo and although it’s not that big, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself there for a day.

Gerben, 04/05/2014