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Zoo in Amersfoort, Netherlands From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DierenPark Amersfoort is a 20-hectare (49-acre) zoo located on the West side of Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, on the edge of the Birkhoven forest, in the Netherlands.
DierenPark Amersfoort | |
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![]() Siberian tigers: Kira with a daughter | |
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52.150555°N 5.345°E | |
Date opening | 22 May 1948 |
Location | Amersfoort, Netherlands |
Land area | 20 hectares (49 acres) |
No. of species | 100 |
Annual visitors | 800,000 |
Memberships | EAZA,[1] NVD[2] |
Major exhibits | Exotic animals; Theme areas Savanna, The Night, Stad der Oudheid, DinoPark, Japanese garden |
Website | www |
The zoo was founded on 22 May 1948 by Mr. Tertoolen and Mr. Knoester. Initially it was a very small zoo with a monkey, a bear, a camel and some farm animals. In the years afterwards the first carnivore arrived, and in 1956 the elephants Indra and Rani arrived.
In 1960, Mr. and Mrs. Vis-Tertoolen, one of the zoo founder's daughters and her husband, took over the management of the zoo, and the first of the chimpanzees arrived.
In 1979, 2 white southern white lions were born, but while growing up they became normally colored. In 1982 seven Sudan cheetahs were born. In 1988, the park got a savanna area and "De Ark van Amersfoort" (Amersfoort's Ark) was opened. The zoo currently has an area of about 20 hectares (49 acres). It is home to more than 100 animal species and hosts about 800,000 visitors annually. Its ridable miniature railway, has a worldwide unique gauge of 340 mm (13+3⁄8 in).[3]
On September 4, 2019, the zoo's last white tiger, Maxie, died of lung cancer. She was 16 years old.[4]
The park contains the following themed areas:
Below is an overview of the animal collection from DierenPark Amersfoort. The fishes and invertebrates lists are incomplete.
MammalsPredators
Proboscidean
Odd-toed ungulates
Even-toed ungulates
Bats
Xenarthra
Marsupials
Rodents
Primates
BirdsBirds of prey and owls
Flightless birds
Aquatic birds
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Storks
Poultry birds
Parrots
Songbirds
Cranes
Doves
ReptilesLizards
Crocodiles
Snakes
Tortoises
Amphibians
Fishes
Invertebrates |
On November 3, 2020, two male chimpanzees, Mike en Karibuna, escaped their enclosures due to human error. To prevent further escalation, the two male chimpanzees were shot. No visitors or employees were injured.[7]
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