Rotterdam Zoo, Diergaarde Blijdorp

Rotterdam Zoo, also known as Diergaarde Blijdorp, is one of the oldest and most renowned zoological gardens in the Netherlands, with a rich history that traces back over 150 years. The zoo’s roots trace back to a modest railway garden in central Rotterdam established by two railway employees in 1855. Initially, G.M. van den Bergh and F. van der Valk cultivated a small garden beside the railway in Rotterdam, which included a water basin where they kept a few exotic birds, reflecting their passion for animals. The garden quickly attracted attention among the citizens of Rotterdam, prompting others to join in expanding the space and adding more animals. By 1856, a larger plot adjacent to the railway was leased, with a garden house becoming a small clubhouse. For a fee of ten guilders, respected citizens could become members of this early version of the zoo, marking the inception of what would become the Rotterdam Zoological Garden.

With support from the public, the initiative grew rapidly, and soon, a formal commission was established to create an Association to further develop the garden into a fully-fledged zoological institution. Issuance of shares raised 300,000 guilders - exceeding the original goal of 200,000, and with the shareholders legally member of the Association (de Vereeniging). On 27 March 1857, an official board was elected, and within months, construction began under the guidance of the renowned Zochter family from Haarlem, who specialized in landscape design for estates and city parks. On 15 September 1857, the statutes of ‘de Vereeniging Rotterdamsche Diergaarde (The Rotterdam Zoological Garden Association)” were approved by royal decree, establishing 1857 as the zoo’s official founding year. Its first director was Pierre Henri Martin, who had much experience with (exotic) animals as he had owned a large menagerie which he had donated to Amsterdam Zoo (Artis). Apparently he had been a lion tamer, and his expertise infused an element of intrigue and admiration among Rotterdam’s residents.

Aerial photograph of the railway station Rotterdam Delftsche Poort and the zoo – around 1920. (Source: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie/Wikimedia Commons; Photograph Technische Dienst Luchtvaartafdeeling, precursor of the present Royal Netherlands Air Force; licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.)

The early days of the zoo reflected 19th-century notions of animal exhibits, with animals housed in simple enclosures focused on showcasing exotic fauna. Over the years, the zoo became a central part of Rotterdam’s social fabric, playing a significant role in local society. An imposing new clubhouse was constructed in 1874, featuring a 1,000-seat banquet hall, a reading room, dining halls, and a grand terrace, providing a prestigious meeting place. The zoo also became famous for its greenhouses, such as the greenhouse (1886), designed to house the giant Amazonian water lily (Victoria amazonica). Another striking glass structure, the Flora greenhouse, incorporated the novel material of cast iron and boasted a 32-meter dome crowned by a statue of the Roman goddess Flora, hosting exhibitions of spring flowers each Easter. In 1878, the ‘Prince Hendrik’ greenhouse was transported to the zoo from the Royal residence in Soestdijk and housed a diverse plant collection, including a cactus wing added around 1900.

During its early decades, the zoo catered primarily to affluent members, with restrictions on access for working-class citizens, while younger visitors had to refrain from bringing sticks into the zoo to prevent animal teasing. The zoo became a venue for concerts on a regular basis, and despite the exclusive air, by the 1860s, certain times were designated for broader public access.

In addition to animals, the zoo offered a variety of attractions, including a lava-rock grotto with an observation tower, small aquariums, and demonstration events, such as African sailors showcasing canoeing skills in the ponds. By the early 20th century, the zoo’s facilities expanded to include a large sea lion pool, which made headlines in 1922 when an adventurous sea lion escaped into the nearby canal, sparking an exciting public pursuit.

The 1920s saw financial challenges emerge. The zoo fell out of fashion due to the rise of the ideas of Carl Hagenbeck, who made zoos more attractive for animals and visitors by introducing moats as barriers, while removing fences and bars. In addition, due to urban expansion, city council was interested in the ground in central Rotterdam. In order to turn the tide financially, it was decided to make membership cheaper, exhibitions and fairs were organised and lighting was installed so that the garden could also be visited in the evening. The number of days on which non-members could visit the zoo were also increased. Despite all these measures, the financial situation remained dire. This prompted discussions about relocating the zoo to a less expensive location, but first the immediate financial problems had to be addressed. As the Amsterdamsche Bank no longer provided any further credit, the board of the Association found Volkskracht willing to provide funding for necessary changes. In October 1938, the Association was transformed into a Foundation, and by the end of that year, the plans for relocation were finalized and approved. See some historical footage of the zoo at its location near the ‘Delftsche Poort’ railway station here.

In 1940, the zoo began moving to Rotterdam’s Blijdorp district. Architect Sybold van Ravesteyn played a crucial role in designing the new Rotterdam Zoo, creating buildings and habitats that were not only functional but visually captivating, incorporating elements of Art Deco and modernist design. His work aimed to blend the natural landscape with animal enclosures, creating a more immersive experience for visitors. In December 1940, the zoo reopened in the Blijdorp district, becoming Diergaarde Blijdorp and one of the first zoos in Europe designed in full by an architect, with modern zoological practices in mind, emphasizing larger, more naturalistic enclosures (read more).

In the spring of 1940, demolition work had begun on the grounds of the old zoo. Several animals were still present on the grounds when the war broke out, and the warfront suddenly reached the river flowing through Rotterdam (Nieuwe Maas). In the first days of the war, the old zoo came under fire several times, but on May 14th, the day of the strategic bombing of Rotterdam, the zoo was severely hit. The food warehouse, workshop, and the valuable library - all went up in flames. Animal enclosures, such as the elephant house and the monkey house, were also struck and caught fire. Despite efforts to save the animals, several perished in the flames, including an elephant and two lions. A day earlier, during an air raid with eighteen high-explosive bombs, there had already been a large slaughter among the animals. Everywhere, maimed or escaped animals roamed the premises. In the carnivore house, the ceilings had collapsed, but the predators were still alive. After some deliberation, the zoo's director at the time, Dr. K. Kuiper, decided to have the predators (eight tigers, seven lions, and several jaguars) shot. Here and there, heads and wings of ostriches lay scattered around, and elk antelopes wandered around with their bellies torn open.

Obviously, the outbreak of the war delayed the relocation process. The staff faced impossible decisions about euthanizing animals to prevent further risk or suffering. However, with resilient staff efforts and public support, the remaining animals were gradually transferred to Blijdorp, where operations continued throughout the war years. The new zoo opened a part of the new facilities for the public on 13 July 1940, while full admittance was possible on 7 December that year. Despite food shortages, the zoo’s population remarkably increased, enabling Rotterdam Zoo to help restock other war-affected European zoos after the war.

The war was not only a great strain on the animals and the staff, but it also depleted the finances and Volkskracht's willingness to continue providing financial support. As a result, in 1948, the municipality took over the debt to Volkskracht, and the zoo became dependent on the municipality's subsidy policy.

After the war, Blijdorp, as the zoo was affectionately called after it had moved to the new location, embraced new conservation initiatives, acquiring endangered species like orangutans, gorillas, and Przewalski’s horses. The zoo’s collection continued to grow with additions such as an okapi enclosure and large aviaries, solidifying its status as a relevant institution in species preservation.

Throughout the 20th century, the zoo expanded its conservation and education missions, establishing itself as a leader in species preservation. Blijdorp has long participated in breeding programmes for endangered species, including the Sumatran tiger, Asian elephant, and red panda, contributing significantly to global conservation efforts. As part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the zoo has fostered international partnerships and actively engages in the exchange of species and genetic material to support biodiversity.

So, Blijdorp developed into a modern zoo, including the establishment of the Vereniging Vrienden van Blijdorp (Friends of Blijdorp Association) in 1963, from its inception until the 1970s with the pre-war depression and WWII as disturbing factors that were overcome. The 1970s and 80s, however, show us another picture.

See what a visit to the Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp) looked like in 1963:

(Source: Rotterdam City Archives – via Archieven.nl; Collection Bewegend Beeld THA; author J.C. de Geus; copyright holder Municipality of Rotterdam (City Archives); copyright status unknown)

A whole new wind was blowing through the Netherlands. Youth culture reigned, and anything ‘old’ was deemed less valuable. Rotterdam Zoo (Blijdorp), at forty years old, was seen as outdated and in need of improvement. In the spirit of the times, being vegetarian was trendy, organic farming was gaining popularity, and zoos were seen as collections of cages holding pitiful animals. Whether due to changing societal attitudes or an outdated, hierarchical organizational culture, the zoo itself was also changing. Blijdorp turned inward. In the ethics of animal care, the intrinsic value of animals was gaining importance, aligning with the ideals of nature conservation. The focus shifted from viewing animals as mere exhibits to valuing them as ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. Breeding rare animals was regarded as so important that visitors were seen as unimportant or even bothersome. The result of the changing zeitgeist and Blijdorp’s relative neglect of visitors was a sharp decline in attendance numbers.

The period from 1980 to 1986 is referred to as the "seven lean years," an economically challenging time. The Rotterdam city council grew weary of the financial black hole that Blijdorp had become. While new constructions did occasionally appear in the zoo, it was the maintenance of existing structures that increasingly worried staff. They witnessed the buildings slowly deteriorate. Recognizing the need for appropriate action, a master plan committee was formed in 1986.

Initially, the plan was worked on secretly, while overdue maintenance was being addressed and even new enclosures were built. For instance, in 1985, a completely renovated and greatly improved ape house was delivered. It took some time to design the master plan, as the zoo ultimately needed to be completely recreated, from a dilapidated 19th-century zoo to a modern zoo that is future-proof. In 1988, the plan was completed and made public through a brochure entitled Blijdorp in Perspective. The animals were to be housed in naturally designed enclosures, called biotopes, and arranged according to the continents where they are naturally found. Buildings would be hidden behind natural-looking facades or placed underground. Nature conservation should play a key role in the collection policy, along with education.

Architect Gerard Schroeder was brought on board for the development and renovation according to the master plan, which began in February 1989 and already that year led to a miraculous transformation. Construction was in full swing! It convinced the Rotterdam City Council, which agreed to secure a subsidy for Blijdorp for 15 years. And even better, in October 1990, the City Council decided that Blijdorp could expand - 11 hectares of land on the other side of the railway line was made available for this purpose. This offered enormous potential and changed the layout according to the original master plan, but not its principles.

The large-scale changes initiated in 1989 show significant additions and modifications, with the first being a Chinese garden, Asian swamp, bat cave, and a Mongolian steppe with camels. In 1994, the Taman Indah complex opened, showcasing a tropical habitat for elephants and tapirs, with the first group elephant stall in the Netherlands. A new entrance and parking lot were created on the newly acquired extension of 11 hectares.

In 1992, Diergaarde Blijdorp is designated a municipal monument, influenced by the people of Rotterdam, who feared that Van Ravesteyn's architectural masterpiece would be lost amid the master plan's extensive changes. Initially, this designation seemed to mainly offer the advantage of obtaining subsidies for building renovations. However, it soon became clear that the monument status was more of an obstacle to implementing various innovations.

Nevertheless new buildings and enclosures could still be built, which indeed happened. The first and impressive highlight was the Oceanium, a major aquarium complex completed in 2001, immersing visitors in a vast underwater world, focusing on marine life from the Atlantic Ocean. The Oceanium features sea lions, otters, and king penguins, and enhances Blijdorp’s educational reach while underscoring its commitment to highlighting ecological connections and fostering a broader understanding of biodiversity. The Oceanium was still constructed as part of the first master plan from 1988, but other significant changes took place based on the follow-up, master plan II from 2004. It builds on the previous principles, continuing innovation, expansions, and the development of immersive ecosystems.

Continuous updates followed: the tiger enclosure, designed in such a way that little was changed to the old polar bear and sea lion enclosure, which is a monument (opened in 2005); a migrating bird aviary in 2007; the Oewanja children’s Jungle in 2005 and Oewanja Lodge (restaurant) in 2006; a polar bear exhibit in 2008, drawing visitors from around the world; and the Savannah House for giraffes and hyenas in the shape of a baobab tree (popularly called "the onion") in 2009.

Today, Blijdorp is much more than the historical zoo with the many monuments. The original park layout has been transformed into a biotope model, where animals are placed in a natural environment. This model has evolved further into impact areas that not only improve animal welfare but also contribute to nature conservation and restoration. Visitors can enjoy various themes and atmospheres, such as the African savannah and Asian biotopes, while the historical elements of Van Ravesteyn are still recognizably present. In recent years, many monuments have already been restored and full restoration supposed to be ready in 2030.

‘Stagnation is regression,’ as they often say, and that’s why Blijdorp looks ahead. They developed the master plan 2050, marking a transformation from a traditional zoo to a nature restoration organization - a driving force for ecological restoration. Blijdorp’s unique position is leveraged to create a tangible and lasting impact. With this new master plan Blijdorp introduces a new mission: Together we bring nature back to life! And the ambition that by 2050, Rotterdam Zoo will have demonstrably contributed to the rescue of ten (severely) endangered animal and plant species. These species being: Dalmatian Pelican, Vietnamese pond turtle, Antillean iguana, Surgeonfish, Rwanda water lily, Asian elephant, Pygmy hippopotamus, Red panda, Common skate, Rüppells vulture.

With this ambitious plan, which is far from final, Blijdorp describes how the park should look in a few decades. They are considering the creation of new themed worlds, which will henceforth be called 'impact areas.' Currently, Blijdorp is divided into continents. Some existing sections of the park may remain more or less in their current form, but under a new name. In other areas, however, radical changes are needed. For example, in the future, the park will likely bid farewell to polar bears, arctic foxes, bison, vicuñas, butterflies, and the Australian section with wallabies. The fate of the Asia House is uncertain. There have been plans for some time for the Asian elephants: their enclosure needs to be doubled in size. In the Oceanium, the focus will be on the North Sea and the Caribbean. Not far from there, the African Jungle will rise, likely in the form of a gigantic tropical hall with a climate-controlled roof. This could house animals such as bongos, armored crocodiles, okapis, and pygmy hippos. The aviaries of the African Jungle opened in July 2024 as the first new enclosure within the 2050 master plan.

More information on the master plan 2050, especially regarding the choices made, is available here.

Recently, Rotterdam Zoo announced that the two sea otters will join their mother again in Lisbon Aquarium. The two sea otter sisters were on loan from the Portugese Aquarium to try and generate offspring. Unfortunately, several attempts - including artificial insemination - did not bring the long awaited pregnancy. Furthermore, all the male sea otters in European zoos have died in captivity, now. So, there are only three female sea otters left in Europe. The old mother in Lisbon, who lost her male companion this spring, and her two daughters. As it became obvious that it will be impossible to get a male sea otter to Europe on short notice, breeding with the two sea otter sisters will not be possible anymore in Europe. The decision to reunite mother with daughters was made and one of the highlights of every single visit of me to Rotterdam Zoo will be gone soon. But today the public could still enjoy the social behaviour of the two ever so lively animals. Floating on their back next to each other, handing over food while twisting and turning, they make everybody stop at their enclosure and smile. These happy two will bring some sunshine in their mother's life again soon. Rotterdam Zoo will miss them.

Another happy and playful couple are the two Sumatran tiger cubs. They have a playful mother too, who even invites them to join her in some rough-housing. They put on a nice show during my visit on this cold and sunny afternoon. The same sun is reason for the ring-tailed lemurs to show the typical buddha-posture while sunbathing in their enclosure, the former colobus monkey island. These lemurs have been absent from Rotterdam Zoo for about 30 years, but rivalry in a large group of these social animals in Apeldoorn Zoo provided the opportunity to welcome a group of 10 beautiful lemurs from Apeldoorn in July of this year. It seems to me that the lemurs are better off than the former inhabitants, the colobus monkeys. Because their new exhibit is more cage-like, and very close to the public, while the island is a confined area without fences and quite some distance from the ever 'peeping' visitors. Nevertheless, both enclosures offer good climbing facilities, enrichment these primates require.

The sole purpose of this visit was to have a look at the Savannah area in its final stage, and if possible see the Sumatran tiger cubs, which were born on 10 May this year. The cubs were outside, but were hiding from the rain. The two of them were sitting close together in their hideout, curiously looking at the rain and the wet environment, but were hard to identify by the public. I have to return on a dry and sunny day to watch them explore their environment. The Savannah area was recently extended with three new enclosures. The servals, colobus monkeys, and the vultures are being housed now in the African Savannah, where they belong. The vulture rock, indeed contains an artificial big rock but the vultures seem to prefer the tree as observation post. It is a walk-in enclosure which enables close encounters. The enclosure is occupied by five different species - hooded vulture, white-backed vulture, Ruppell's vulture, marabou stork, grey crowned crane, Southern ground-hornbill -, which can express their normal daily behaviour. Even the vultures can do some flying exercises (time slot dependent to prevent collisions; my attitude is not very positive when aviaries are concerned). Unfortunately, the railway track which prevents zoo expansion is disturbingly close by.The servals will experience improvement when they compare their new house to the former one. When they roam around in their territory they can see kudus, zebras and giraffes and they can imagine living in their natural African environment, except for the wire mesh that limits their territory. Apart from the species mentioned already, the European otters have been relocated too. In my opinion that is not an improvement, because their new home in the Chinese garden is less exciting than the old one. Less places to hide and everything more straightforward, but still a large playground with sufficient water for two otters. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made on a small scale to create generic upgrades, I suppose.

There is a lot of work in progress these days. The new hyena enclosure is now occupied by the hyenas. The new facilities do not look very attractive at the moment. This has got a lot to do with the time of year (it's winter, so all trees and shrubs are quite bare), and perhaps there is some influence from the railway-line that is visible and audible. The hyenas have been transfered from the old lion enclosure. There they have been neighbours of the Asian lions waiting to be housed in the new Africa zone, the savannah. Their transfer allows for extension of te lion enclosure. The lions will like some extra space in the outdoor enclosure. But to my honest opinion the indoors facility needs some refurbishment too. This was for everybody to notice today, because the lion cub Naui, born on 09.09.09 with no siblings, was inside today. So, everybody went in and was thrilled to see the extrovert cub. But there was more to see: the old-fashioned small cages that do not provide a lot of room, and no environmental enrichments whatsoever.

There are two more additions expected this year to the new Africa zone. The serval enclosure and the free flight cage for vultures. It will be a relieve for the servals, because they are now housed in the old row of cages just across the Riviéra-hall (one of Ravesteyn's buildings). Furthermore the old entrance is being restored, including some major works on buildings next to the entrance are on-going.

Download the current zoo map here.

Download the current zoo map here.

Download the current zoo map here.