Â鶹APP

Diergaarde Blijdorp – Rotterdam – water feature – fountain photo by Again Erick

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Blijdorp Zoo

Blijdorp zoo is a zoo which is located in the northwestern part of Rotterdam. This is one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands. It has been operated by the stitching koninklijke Rotterdam’s Degraded.

It is one of Europe’s best zoos. The zoo is large ensuring that many species of animals have plenty of space.

The zoo has been divided into several zoogeographic regions which is 26-hectare. Blijdorp zoo which boasts well over 180 species. It has shops, multiple cafes and including an information center. The zoo is a member of the Dutch zoo federation(NVD) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). It celebrated its 150 anniversary in 2007.

Here are the Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Blijdorp Zoo

1.Blijdorp participates in 70 breeding programs and studbooks

The zoo has participated in about 70 breeding programs and stud books. Also its coordinates a number of them. They include an International breeding program for red pandas, EEPs   for Asian elephants, komodo dragon, red crowned. Also the siberian crane, visayan warty pig and Egyptian tortoise and the ESB (European Studbook) for the crowned pigeons.

2. The zoo houses a botanical Garden

Blijdorp zoo houses a botanical garden. It also manages both the Dutch National Bromelia. Including its collection and the Dutch National Primula collection. The setup for a thirith Dutch National collection for the genus magnolia.

It is an ongoing and endangered species that will be planted out in the Asiatic part of the zoo. While the tropical greenhouse/ butterfly house Amazonica fort the endangered south American species.

3.The Oceanarium which is one of the top attraction in Blijdorp zoo

Oceanium – Degraded Blijdorp – Rotterdam – Interior photo by Again Erick

The Oceanarium is an aquarium that was opened in the zoo in 2001. It lies in the expansion area of the  zoo. The oceanarium which includes a new entrance and parking area with the biggest projects to date for the zoo. The area around the oceanium has been a home to projects depicting the Americans.

4.Blijdorp has been a home of a large family of lions

The lions in the zoo are Asian lions. They are more social than the African lions. These Asian lions are smaller with thinner manes. This might be the reason for the scarcity of food or probably  the more competitive environment in the regions of Asia the lions are from. Enhance the smallest size and more cooperative nature.

5. The zoo is the Europe’s oldest zoo which dates back more than 150 years

Degraded Blijdorp has been visited by young and old since 1885. The zoo in Rotterdam is one of the oldest parks in the country and is home to almost 180 different animal species. You make a mini world trip along animals from every continent of the world.

The cold Antarctica is represented by the polar bear and the Arctic fox, the warm Africa by giraffes, ostriches, crocodiles and more. The North American bison and prairie dog are found there, as are South American tortoises, snakes and parrots. Europe takes care of the wolf and reindeer, while elephants, monkeys and rhinoceroses represent Asia.

6. Blijdorp zoo has been a home to about 180 different animals species

Leopard, Blijdorp Zoo, Rotterdam photo by Ruud van Unen

This is the oldest zoo in the country which is home to almost 180 different  animal species. The zoo has an extensive house with reptiles from all over the world.  Reptiles are one of the oldest branches on the tree of life from which mammals, dinosaurs and birds evolved. 

Some large birds can be found in the zoo. Also the monkeys and apes in the Blijdorp zoo have ample space and interesting closures. Such you can observe them behaving quite naturally in the  environment.

7. The zoo has a Racoon exhibition

These creatures are most truly amusing to watch. It really fun observing  them try to perform various tasks. One of them involved the entire troop getting from the lower end enclosure to the upper end. That is separated by some obstacles.

8.Blijdorp zoo is a large zoo with a 26 hectare

The outdoor enclosure for gorillas photo by Steven Lek

The zoo is large, it has been divided into several zoogeographic regions. The 26-hectare Blijdorp zoo  shelters 180 different animal species. The zoo exchanged land with the municipality.

Its municipality received part of the old zoo for free, the rest they had to pay for. In exchange, the zoo became the owner of two-thirds of a new 13-hectare site in the Blijdorp district, while one-third of the new site had to be leased at one guilder.

The original zoo had been heavily damaged in a bombing two days prior to the Blitz, but it had not been touched by the main bombardment on May 14, 1940. Some street names, such as Diergaardesingel (‘Zoo Lane’), still recall the old zoo.

The new zoo at Blijdorp was rebuilt slightly to the north, where it opened to the public in its current location on December 7, 1940. The new zoo was designed by Dutch architect Sybold van Ravesteyn, who designed the central railway station of Rotterdam as well.

In 2001, Blijdorp became almost twice as large when it opened a new western part, which includes the Oceanarium aquarium. In 2007, the zoo was declared a rijksmonument.

9. Blijdorp zoo has the Mysterious Okapis

Giraffe in the ZOO Blijdorp Rotterdam photo by G.oorthuys

Okapis, a rare species of forest giraffe, are back once more in Rotterdam Zoo where they can be found in a new enclosure (2015) resembling the central African jungle. They share their new space with various species of birds and plants that are native to their natural habitat.  Finish your African discovery at the African Vulture Rock next to the savanna.

10. The zoo has a butterfly Paradise Amazonica

Discover Europe’s largest and most beautiful butterfly paradise Amazonica. Tropical temperatures, fragrant flowers, thousands of colorful South American butterflies, the awesome anaconda and greedy piranhas. Experience the Amazonica in Blijdorp zoo