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The 10 hectare Antwerpen zoo shows a significant similarity to another typical urban zoo,
Artis in Amsterdam. They can be put on par because of their
19th-century origins. Besides, their monumental buildings, collections of paleontological objects, pieces of art, botanical gardens still radiate the same
atmosphere and feeling of history. Both have limited space and can't be expected to grow further. In the early days both received objects and exotic animals as a gift from travellers in the colonies. There is a story of the mayor of Antwerp on visit in Amsterdam impressed with the zoo in 1840.
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visiting www.happybami.nl
In the beginning
Modern zoo concept
Masterplan 2008
In the beginning
The Antwerpen zoo has been established in 1843 just outside the city walls. The entrance fee equalled a working man’s daily wage, but only the rich could visit the zoo, actually a botanical garden with some farm animals. One says that the first exotic animal has arrived in 1847: a chimpanzee. Probably the first chimpanzee to dine with
a director of a zoo. Talking about exoticism, in the 19th century
zoo Antwerp housed its antelopes in a mosque-like enclosure. The
1856 Egyptian temple has been modeled after the 1854 'Egyptian
Court' at the Crystal Palace, London.
The
website of the zoo offers lots of historical
pictures.
Until the early 20th century it has been located in the current Carnotstraat, originally. With the construction of the central station the urban area started to enclose the zoo. The monumental main entrance at the Astrid
Square dates from 1900.
World War I and II
In WOI and WOII many residents of the zoo have been killed to prevent their escape during attacks. At the end of the Second World War, collaborators were locked up in the empty enclosures.
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visiting www.happybami.nl
Modern zoo concept
The zoo policy changed after 1945 when the war was over. Beside the exhibition of animals the idea to save every animal threatened with extinction became popular. Barred enclosures were replaced with artificial landscapes and animal islands.
In 1956 an old estate 'Planckendael Mechelen' (30 km away) has been bought, see
Animal park Mechelen. Just like in Amsterdam
a strong emphasis is given to education
It is said that 3 out of 4 okapis in captivity have Antwerp blood.
Planckendael is a breeding station for species from the former Belgian
colony Kongo, such as okapis, bonobos and Congo peacocks.
Nowadays an average of 1.3 million visitors pass through its gates annually. It is home to 950 species and
about 5000 animals as well as to an impressive collection of trees. The Antwerp zoo is altogether a living museum, fulfilling the functions of collection, exhibition, research, and education.
Masterplan 2008
31 house are being demolished to make way for a new zoo area. 30
million (euros) will expand the space of the zoo about 4 acres.
The 10-year-masterplan has been written in 2008 by architects Robbrecht
and Daem; they will also realize several phases for the zoo. The
ticket counter will be located farther down the zoo and a garden
in front of the zoo will arise. Here the non-visitor can
experience the atmosphere. Holes in a wall along the
Ommeganckstraat will allow people passing by a glimpse of the
lovely zoo scenery... A seducive zoo.
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Antwerpen
Zoo Antwerp