ARTIS Zoo gives new purpose to former lion enclosure

The iconic national monument is undergoing a careful restoration and will be connected with air tunnels to the Lemurenland opposite, among other things. The new area is a design by Atelier Front. 

Ring-tailed lemurs together with the red lemurs

Tjerk ter Meulen, manager Animal & Plant: ‘We have succeeded in creatively connecting the 100-year-old national monument with its surroundings. This gives the animals an extra enriching living environment with all kinds of sub-areas and does the national monument full justice. Moreover, this is an opportunity to bring Madagascar's highly endangered biodiversity to the attention of our visitors. Many people are familiar with the charismatic prosimians, also known as lemurs, such as the ring-tailed lemurs and the red-ruffed lemurs. What many people don't know is that 98% of the 112 lemur species we know today are threatened with extinction.’

Extraordinary biodiversity on Madagascar

The island on the east coast of Africa separated from the Indian subcontinent about 88 million years ago. This long-term isolation allowed species to evolve largely apart from the mainland. The new habitat in ARTIS Park is inspired by the different types of landscapes on the island, from wet tropical forests to arid deserts and mountains. It is precisely this great diversity of landscapes that has helped give rise to the many unique species, as each species has adapted to their specific habitat. 

Unfortunately, at least 700 species in Madagascar are now threatened with extinction. Special species such as the elephant bird, which roamed the island 300 years ago, have even disappeared altogether. Visitors to ARTIS Zoo will learn more about Madagascar's rich biodiversity around this new enclosure and what we can do to protect these vulnerable species.

National monument vs animal welfare

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo is one of the five oldest zoos in the world and also cares for the heritage of 26 national monuments and 1 municipal monument, including several animal enclosures. The Kerbertterras is named after ARTIS director Coenraad Kerbert, who died in 1927. It was designed by Bert Johan Ouëndag (1861-1932) and his son Willem Bert (1899-1967), also known for buildings such as the Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam and the Bijenkorf in Rotterdam. Although the animal enclosure was revolutionary at the time because of its open character with a water barrier instead of bars, these views have obviously changed radically now. The new design brings the Kerbertterras up to date, but while retaining its historical value. 

Kerbertterras temporarily open to the public

The Kerbert Terrace is temporarily open to ARTIS Zoo visitors until the start of the renovation. Via a pontoon, visitors walk across the water onto the terrace.