Zoo of Antwerp

The zoo of Antwerp is a zoo located in the center of the town of Antwerp in Belgium. Located near the station of Antwerp, it is very easy access. Founded the July 21st 1843, it acts of the oldest animalist park of the country. The park drains approximately 1,3 million visitors each year.

History

Since its creation, the park is controlled by the Royal Société of Zoology of Antwerp . It in the beginning was created to encourage zoological sciences and botanical. Its first director was the scientist Jacques Kets (1785 - 1865). The building containing the collections of natural history was open in 1844.

The zoo encourages the protection of nature by carrying out educational and ludic exposures relative to various scientific and cultural topics. The park, which had at its beginnings a size of less than 2 hectares, currently has a surface of approximately 10 hectares. It is expected that the park is increased approximately 10% compared to its current surface. One built multiple buildings there since his creation such as for example the Temple Egyptians (1856) and the building of the antelopes of Moorish style (1861).

After the Second world war, the zoo evolved/moved according to the new standards and of the new needs. One built there:

  • the building of the primates (1958);
  • the Nocturama for the night animals (1968);
  • the building of the reptiles (1973) renovated in 2006;
  • the frozen world (1997);
  • the Hippotopia (2003);
  • the Hati Mahal (elephants);
  • an aquarium.

The animalist park was classified like monument protected in 1983 and gained the price 2007 better zoo of the 19th century.

Animals

The zoo shelters more than 5.000 animals coming from approximately 950 different species originating in the whole world. Each year, these animals consume 41 tons of fish, 52 tons of meats, 37 tons of apples, 36 tons of carrots, 128 tons of hays, 4.000 liters of milk, 23.000 eggs, 10.000 breads.

Some visible animals:

Programs of safeguarding

The zoo is implied in various programmes of safeguarding of species threatened of disappearance. (Okapi, Horse of Przewalski, Peacock of Congo, Bonobo, Tamarin lion gilded, Otter of Europe,…).

Affiliated fields and parks

  • natural reserve De Zegge with Geel since 1952. (96 ha)
  • the animalist park of Planckendael close to Malignant since 1956. (40 ha)

External bonds

  • Official site of the French zoo
  • Site official of the park of French Planckendael

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