Diergaarde Blijdorp

Diergaarde Blijdorp, officially Rotterdam Zoo, is a historic zoological institution located in the northwestern part of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Established on May 18, 1857, it is one of the oldest zoos in the country. Operated by the Stichting Koninklijke Rotterdamse Diergaarde (Royal Rotterdam Zoo Foundation), the zoo has undergone significant transformations, including a major relocation and expansion.

History and Development

The origins of Diergaarde Blijdorp trace back to 1855 with a garden for pheasants and waterfowl. The zoo officially opened as 'Rotterdamsche Diergaarde' in 1857, with Henri Martin serving as its first director. The organization underwent a reorganisation in 1932, leading to a decision to move the zoo to a new, larger site in the Blijdorp district. This relocation occurred prior to the extensive bombing of Rotterdam during World War II. The new zoo, designed by architect Sybold van Ravesteyn, opened at its current location on December 7, 1940. In 2001, the zoo experienced a substantial expansion, nearly doubling its size with the addition of a new western section that includes the prominent Oceanium aquarium.

Key Features and Collections

Diergaarde Blijdorp is organized into several zoogeographic regions, covering 34 hectares (84 acres) and housing approximately 562 species. Among its notable features is the Oceanium, a large aquarium complex that opened in 2001. The zoo also maintains a botanical garden and manages the Dutch National Bromelia Collection and the Dutch National Primula Collection. In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the zoo was declared a rijksmonument (national monument) in 2007.

Conservation and Breeding Programs

Conservation is a significant focus for Diergaarde Blijdorp, which actively participates in around 70 breeding programs and studbooks. The zoo plays a coordinating role in several international breeding programs, including those for red pandas, Asian elephants, Komodo dragons, red-crowned cranes, Siberian cranes, Visayan warty pigs, and Egyptian tortoises. It also manages the European Studbook for crowned pigeons.

Notable Events and Public Profile

Diergaarde Blijdorp has occasionally garnered international attention. In 2007, a silverback gorilla named Bokito escaped his enclosure, leading to a widely reported incident. More recently, in 2014, a giraffe's interaction with a former zoo cleaner battling terminal brain cancer went viral worldwide. In 2019, a conservation center was inaugurated, with Lesser Antillean iguanas being among the first animals housed there.

Zoological Affiliations

The zoo is a member of the Dutch Zoo Federation and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), underscoring its commitment to international zoological standards and cooperation.