I visited all 8 of these zoos last summer and this thread is rekindling fond memories of my 95-zoo European trek. It might be a long time before I'll head off to Europe to repeat that holiday!
I think that there are 4 very good chimpanzee exhibits on the list and 4 very poor ones.
#1
Burgers' Zoo: This enormous exhibit will be 50 years old next year and it holds up remarkably well and is a legendary chimpanzee zoo habitat. The outdoor section is for the most part brilliant, but the indoor holding should be much larger and it is genuinely surprising that the zoo has never expanded it in a half-century. Frans de Waal wrote about how the chimps would fight and there would be a lot of tension in the winter months when the apes were inside for many days in a row. However, overall this is still a splendid chimpanzee complex and renowned worldwide.
#2
Beekse Bergen: A very large area for chimpanzees is impressive right in the middle of the zoo, with a second chimp exhibit closer to the entrance. The indoor areas are nicely done, with thick natural substrate on the floor.
#3
Dierenrijk: Another Dutch zoo with a vast area devoted to chimps, with a big outdoor yard that is a little bare in places but otherwise very good.
#4
Antwerp: The various sections of this exhibit are maze-like and allows choice for the apes, although the big walls are a bit of an eyesore and the indoor areas are fairly bleak. Still, as far as the chimpanzees are concerned this is a decent exhibit.
#5
Monde Sauvage: A very basic enclosure that is a replica of dozens of others that I've seen at zoos all over North America and Europe. Nothing special, nothing fancy, nothing memorable.
#6
Artis Amsterdam: During my visit there were some chimpanzees blocking the overhead tunnel to others, which makes it a dangerous passage if you are a weaker, smaller, subordinate ape. The whole thing is an old-fashioned cage, due to eventually be replaced at this famous zoo.
#7
Amersfoort: Another old-fashioned cage that doesn't offer up any height for the chimpanzees, with a scattering of hanging ropes and tree stumps that aren't pretty and I'd be curious to know how much of the furnishings the chimps actually use. A black mark on an otherwise popular zoo.
#8
Olmense: The worst exhibit on the list. The ugly black tires don't offer up anything imaginative outdoors and the indoor area is hideous and very dark. The photo on this thread makes it seem lighter than it truly is, but the indoor area is horrendous and depressing to look at.
Thanks for these great polls
@birdsandbats and keep them coming! However, isn't it 'Benelux' instead of 'Beneleux'?
. It is great to have you and other knowledgeable members participate in these polls and thanks for the excellent write up. You are correct it is Benelux.
