Dierenpark Emmen (also known as ''Noorder Dierenpark'') was a large zoo located in Emmen in the northern province of

Drenthe Drenthe () is a province of the Netherlands located in the northeastern part of the country. It is bordered by Overijssel to the south, Friesland to the west, Groningen to the north, and the German state of Lower Saxony to the east. As of Nov ...

in the Netherlands. Due to financial difficulties the zoo decided in 2011 to reorganise. It closed at the end of 2015, but reopened early 2016 on another location as

Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen Wildlands, also known as Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, is a zoo in Emmen, Netherlands, Emmen, the Netherlands. It opened in March 2016, replacing the Emmen Zoo. It was built at a cost of 200 million euros. Upon its reorganisation the zoo increas ...

History

Dierenpark Emmen was first founded in 1935 by Willemm Osting as a privately run zoo in the downtown sector of Emmen. The zoo business was initially a success, but gradually slowed down as World War II approached. By the 1960s, the zoo's features were in aging condition, and attendance dropped as a result. In 1970, Alied Resting-Oosting, Willemm's daughter, took management and initiated renovation projects. Under new ownership, animal exhibits were reorganized zoogeographically, and a "living museum" concept was introduced to the zoo with interactive museum displays and a botanical garden. Dierenpark Emmen was considered to be one of the finest zoos in Europe and has won various prizes. Animals lived in carefully reconstructed natural habitats according to vegetation, climate, and elevation. Because of lack of space, a new, second site was opened in 1998 just outside Emmen. The two parts of the zoo were connected with each other and one ticket gave admission to both parts.

Zoo Features

Biochron

Located near the entrance was the zoo's museum of evolution, the Biochron, with its name being derived from the Greek words "bios" (meaning life) and "chron" (meaning time). Displays in this museum included animatronic

dinosaurs Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria. They first appeared during the Triassic period, between 243 and 233.23 million years ago (mya), although the exact origin and timing of the evolution of dinosaurs is t ...

, fossilized animals, a tree shrew habitat, and a butterfly pavilion.

African Savanna

Standing at 3 acres, the exhibit was home to the zoo's white rhinoceroses, giraffes,

antelope The term antelope is used to refer to many species of even-toed ruminant that are indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelope comprise a wastebasket taxon defined as any of numerous Old World grazing and browsing hoofed mammals ...

, ostriches, and zebras.

Conservation and breeding

The zoo has had great success breeding Asian elephants, with 26 births since 1992 and four births in 2010 and 2011 alone. In 2011 there were 13 elephants at the zoo, others having been transported to other zoos. The elephant accommodations comprise a large moated island for females and calves, and a separate smaller island for the bull, with indoor housing being underground.

Wildlands, adventure zoo Emmen

The city council of Emmen approved the construction of a completely new zoo, the Wildlands, which is expected to draw 1.3 million visitors annually. The new zoo was completed in March 2016 and is part of a plan for revitalizing the city center of Emmen. Visitors are able to walk from the new City plaza to the new zoo, which initially is about with an additional for expansion, and includes about of interior space, including a theater.

2012 Dutch time trial championships

The 2012 Dutch National Time Trial Championships for professionals and elite women's started in the zoo beside the African savanna. It was the first time in history a cycle race started in a zoo. Riders rode along the zebras, giraffes, rhinos and hippos.

Notes

External links

* (in Dutch) Zoos in the Netherlands Tourist attractions in Drenthe Buildings and structures in Emmen, Netherlands {{zoo-stub