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.

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

Zoo Rating: Dolfinarium Harderwijk

Dolfinarium Harderwijk

Harderwijk, The Netherlands

 

About the zoo

The Dolphinarium in Harderwijk is the biggest marine mammal park in Europe. They’ve got about 20 species of animals. They attract a lot of visitors with their 11 shows/presentations.

1. Species

A couple of the species that Dolfinarium houses aren’t that special in captivity. The Dolfinarium is the only park in The Netherlands that has (bottlenose) dolphins, however those aren’t that special on a global level. Their Stellar’s sealions, harbour porpoises and walruses are a bit more special though.

Score: 7

2. Animal welfare

The care for the animals at Harderwijk is top notch. They’ have very close bonds with the Dutch rehabilitation center “SOS Dolfijn”, which is on the same terrain. Sometimes,  dolphins or porpoises which can’t go back to the open sea, are permanently housed at the Dolfinarium. Other than that, the tanks are big and meet al requirements.

Score: 8

3. Construction

All enclosures are very open and it’s impossible not to find the animals. The dolphins and walrusses even got an underwater viewing area. The park gives a sort of woody atmosphere.

Score: 7.5

4. Accommodations

Having 10 restaurants/carts and 4 souvenir shops, you can’t say a bad thing about the accomodations in Harderwijk. They’ve also got 10 different playgrounds. There are 3 stadiums in the park.

Score: 9

5. Education

With a big exposition near the SOS Dolfijn building, and various other signs at the park, you really get to learn something at the park.

Score: 8

6. Interaction

Dolfinarium Harderwijk has a shark and rays tank, where you can pet the rays. The shows are without interaction.

Score: 7

Total Score: 7.8

Dolfinarium Harderwijk is definitly worth visiting for a day, but that’s it. The park doesn’t house that much species, so you’ll have time to visit all the shows. When you’ve seen those, well, then there isn’t a reason to come back very soon. Besides that, the entrance fee is rather high (it’s probably the most expensive zoo in the Netherlands). However, if you do go, you’ll almost definately have a nice day.

Gerben, 05/05/2014

Zoo Rating: Aqua Zoo Friesland

Aqua Zoo Friesland

Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

 

About the zoo

In 1993 AquaLutra Leeuwarden opened its doors. Things weren’t going all too well, so the park closed and later reopend in 2003 as Aqua Zoo Friesland and as part of Zodiac Zoos. The zoo houses about 85 species.

 1. Species

At first sight the zoo doesn’t seem to have many special species, but when having a closer look, you’ll see that the South American fur seals, Canadian beavers, raccoon dogs, Ocelots and their Venezuelan red howler monkeys are quite special, at least in The Netherlands. The zoo doesn’t really house big species, and don’t have many of the regular zoo animals.

Score: 7.5

2. Animal welfare

Wherever you look, you’ll always see young animals at Aqua Zoo, which shows a good care for their animals. Each species have got a spacious enclosure, sometimes so big that’s it hard to spot the animals.

Score: 7.5

3. Construction

Aqua Zoo is quite forested, sometimes even a bit overgrown. Having a lot of plants in each enclosure, it might be quite hard to spot the animals. With a lot of trees, the zoo even looks somewhat dark. The enclosures are of a good quality, but not all of them look that appealing, but quite simple.

Score: 6

4. Accomodations

The zoo isn’t that big, so it only has one restaurant. It’s the only toilet building in the zoo aswell. The zoo is divided into two ‘trails’, with both starting and ending at the restaurant. Though, when halfway at a trail, you surely need to walk a bit before getting there.

Score: 6

5. Education

With the exception of the zoo signs, you won’t find that much education at Aqua Zoo.

Score: 5.5

6. Interaction

The zoo has three big walkthrough enclosures, one walkthrough house and an underwater viewing, so you can interact with the animals. Next to that, they also have a birdshow.

Score: 7.5

 

Total Score: 6.7

Aqua Zoo Friesland probably isn’t a zoo youll visit regularly, but when you do there’s enough to see. With a big variation of animals, you will easily enjoy youself there for a day.

Gerben, 10/05/14

Zoo Rating: Diergaarde Blijdorp

Diergaarde Blijdorp/

Rotterdam Zoo

 Rotterdam, The Netherlands

About the Zoo

Diergaarde Blijdorp, named after the Rotterdam district ‘Blijdorp’ opened its doors in 1857. By then, it only housed pheasants and waterfowl. Today, about 250 species of animals live in the zoo, which is about 28 hectares big.

1. Species

Blijdorp has quite some special species, for example, Asian lions, black rhinos, komodo dragons, visayan spotted deers, tufted deers, swift foxes, milky storks, painted storks and black-and-rufous elephant shrews. Other than that, they house common zoo animals like zebras, giraffes, elephants and tigers, but also some crowd pullers like polar bears.

Score: 8

2. Animal welfare

Blijdorp participates in 95 breeding programs, which shows the care for the animals in the zoo. They even manage some studbooks themselves. Next to that, all enclosures in Diergaarde Blijdorp are big, and are perfectly designed for animals’ needs.

Score: 8.5

3. Construction

Parts of the zoo are old, and might not all look too fancy. Though, Blijdorp is working hard to refurbish those enclosures. Other parts of the zoo look great, with the giraffe stall as a remarkable yet beautiful building.

Score: 8

4. Accomodations

There are quite some restaurants/food stands spread through the whole zoo, so walking to one will never be far. When it’s raining, there are some places to shelter, the Oceanium being the largest one of these.

Score: 7.5

5. Education

For the regular zoo visitor you’ll see some big signs and exhibit signs, but that’s where it ends in the area of education at the zoo.

Score: 6.5

6. Interaction

Diergaarde Blijdorp has some walkthrough enclosures, an aviary, and a big butterfly dome. Next to that, there also is a bird show.

Score: 7.5

Total Score: 7.7

Diergaarde Blijdorp is one of the more spectacular zoos in The Netherlands and one you should definately visit if you’re nearby. And even if you’re not, you should still try to plan a visit, because it’ll be worth the trip.

Gerben, 17/05/2014