Five years since relaunch AquaZoo

Zoo AquaZoo is celebrating its fifth anniversary today. This is because it was exactly five years ago that the zoo near Leeuwarden was relaunched and given a new chance as part of Libéma.

These years the park was allowed to welcome polar bears, sea lions, vicuña penguins, Nile crocodiles, armadillos and sloths, among others. A total of thirteen different animal species were added and 300,000 kilograms of animal feed was fed to the animals. More than 10,000 children came on school trips to the zoo. The number of visitors went from 85,000 in 2015 to 150,000 in 2019.

Education

In the first years after the relaunch, much has changed at the park, located in recreation area De Groene Ster. For example, in recent years there has been a thorough renovation, the animals were given larger enclosures, the range of games was expanded, adventure trails were added and the reception, store and catering facilities were tackled.

Education about animal species and conservation has become increasingly important in recent years, and this will be expanded in the coming years. AquaZoo also works closely with Stichting Wildlife. This foundation provides guided tours, monitors the walk-through areas, provides educational signs and experiences. In addition, volunteers help at events and there is an educational bakfiets.

Highlight

For general manager Jeroen Loomeijer, the arrival of the Nile crocodiles and polar bears were absolute highlights. "Those are such beautiful animals. It's a joy every day when I see them." He is also pleased with the modifications to the animal enclosures. "We chose to enlarge the enclosures in recent years."

But there were also more difficult days. "The death of tapir Doutzen was a low point for us," Loomeijer said. "That was so unexpected, she was only three years old and had given birth to her first cub not long before. That touched us all."

Over the next five years, Loomeijer hopes to welcome even more visitors and animal species. He also sees opportunities to further expand the play offerings for children. "There are still so many possibilities here. We are only at the beginning as far as we are concerned."

Otters

AquaZoo's history begins in 1993 with the opening of otter park AquaLutra. The 10-acre park included a research center, a breeding center (serving the otter reintroduction program) and a visitor center. In 2002, the park came into the hands of Zodiac Zoos, which reopened it after a thorough renovation on Jan. 1, 2003, under the new name Aqua Zoo Friesland.

On Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, the court in Arnhem pronounced bankruptcy on Zodiac Zoos and the three zoos it included. Aqua Zoo was among them. Just under three weeks later, on Feb. 18, the zoo was acquired by Libéma and given a relaunch under the name AquaZoo Leeuwarden.

The past 5 years in figures:

  • The number of visitors nearly doubled from 85,000 to 150,000

  • The park welcomed at least 13 new species: Nile crocodiles, polar bears, sea lions, vicunas, sloths, armadillos, pinché monkeys, white-faced lemurs, piranhas, rays, African penguins, pygmy flamingos, bennet wallabies.

  • Number of snacks sold (fries, frikadel, croquette, etc): 750,000 (150,00 per year).

  • Mileage walked by visitors: 1,500,000 (300,000 per year)

  • Quantity of animal feed: 300,000 kilograms (5,000 kilograms per month)

  • Number of school trips/school children: 396 school trips with 10,063 children

  • Number of children's parties: 991 with 6,618 children