Kerkrade Zoo, GaiaZoo

History

The GaiaZoo (formerly known as Gaia Park) is the first zoo with one central theme: the Gaia concept, which considers the earth as an unique living planet. GaiaZoo visitors not only experience continental travelling (as usual), but also time-travelling. Three thematic areas are constructed to provide the public knowledge on the Carboniferous period ('When Limburg was tropical'), the Cretaceous period ('When Limburg had a seaside') and the Ice age ('When polar winds blew across Limburg').
The zoo architecture is meant to support the idea of creating natural environments. Therefore, cages and enclosure fences are designed to be non-existent or invisible, or at least not attract attention. So, the environmental habitat is as natural as possible. But the ethologist Temple Grandin argues that what looks like a true-to-nature imitation, is still deficient of essential ingredients. In zoos the enclosures are always lacking predators, of course, and there is lack of competition. There is no evolutionary stress in zoos whatsoever. Which raises questions regarding intentions of zoos to ex situ conservation programmes and trying to re-introduce zoo-bred animals in real nature.

Visit(s)

02.09.2009

The zoo is founded in 2005 and is trying to apply the recent standards for keeping animals in captivity in a zoo. Deliberate choices have been made regarding the animal species to keep. Partly driven by educational intentions of the zoological park and partly by budgetary issues, I suspect. The slightly hilly and spacious environment of the southern province of the Netherlands makes a visit to the park enjoyable.

Primarily the zoo logistics are driven by continental grouping. They are quite strict considering this grouping. But it is sometimes surprising which animals represent which continent. Especially when you want to compare continents and their inhabitants. For instance, in my opinion the new world monkeys (South America) are overrepresented. And because there is a lack of big predators, it is surprising they house Iberian wolves, European lynx, and three cheeta's and a pack of painted dogs from the African continent. GaiaZoo is the coordinator of the painted dog EEP, but nevertheless, where are the lions and hyena's from Africa, the tigers and bears from Asia, and the jaguars and puma's from South America. Of course, more species are lacking from the different continents. Like there are no elephants, sea mammals and there is no aquarium. But because my primary interest is in canids and felines I felt a bit disappointed. Without doubt there will be valid arguments why those animals are not kept in Kerkrade. The reason could be that those animals' existence is not endangered for instance, although this is not true for tigers. Or budgetary issues?

Although enclosure design intends to be invisible and basic, this kind of architecture has it charms. And is completely different from the eyecatching designs in London (Snowdon's aviary) and Copenhagen (Foster's elephant house). Nevertheless the walk-in aviary for tropical birds overshadows the London aviary completely, in my opinion. Never mind Lord Snowdon himself was responsible for the aviary design in London.

On the other hand, the imitation baobab enclosure for giraffes in Rotterdam zoo does not only create great esthetical views (see pictures in photoalbum zoos). It also gives good opportunity for a close encounter on eye level when inside. This is quite disappointing in Kerkrade, because your view at the giraffes, and vice versa too of course, is partly blocked by vertical wooden beams. Whatever position you're in. But, I have to admit, I do not know what is better for the animals. Which inside enclosure is most comfortable for the giraffes. After all, they are animals with a low threshold for 'fright or flight'.