GaiaZOO Kerkrade GaiaPark Kerkrade Zoo

A fascinating partnership. Two very good zoos that hopefully benefit greatly similarly to the Libema zoos (Beekse Bergen, Aquazoo, Dierenrijk and Overloon). With shared funds, those zoos were able to fund quite a few bigger projects than they would be able to do on their own.

GaiaZOO and Burgers' are, in my opinion, two of the top three best zoos in the Netherlands. Burgers' zoo with its giant greenhouses full of rare free-roamers and unexpected stars, and GaiaZOO with its various giant aviaries and uniquely grandiose character. Only good things will come from this partnership if you ask me
 
Zooflits published an article about the part of GaiaZoo's Taiga that is currently undergoing renovations (former wolf exhibit and the nearby alien species aviary).

This zone will get a new theme, under the current working title "GaiaDoet" ("Gaia Does") and will focus on the contribution of zoos to conservation and on species that were saved by zoos. The species chosen in this area will stand apart from the themes in the rest of the zoo.

The first species of this area will be the yellow-footed rock wallabies, already announced, this exhibit will according to the article open in fall 2025. The remaining species are still kept under wraps for the time being.

The rest of the area is set to open in 2026.

The former "alien species" aviary in this area will, as already announced, house endangered parrot species (sun conure, which they already have, blue-throated macaw and lilacine amazon).

GaiaZoo Kerkrade gaat nieuw gebied bouwen: dit is het thema
 
The latest episode of the Looopings podcast (a Dutch news website about European amusement parks, zoos and other day attractions) features the director of GaiaZOO as a guest. They discuss the past, present and future of the zoo. For example, there is a wish to build overnight accommodations on part of the expansion site. The director also mentions a number of species that are on the zoo's wish list.

One of his personal favourites is the Alpine ibex. ‘If you give them the space to show what they are really capable of, I think a lot of people will be watching breathlessly.’ he said. He also considers it quite likely that GaiaZOO will one day keep okapis, giant otters and a species of bear. It is not out of the question that, with the expertise of Burgers' Zoo (the new owner), a hall could one day be built for butterflies and/or giant otters, for example. Another species that is likely to come to the zoo one day is the Tasmanian devil. Behind the scenes, efforts are already being made to try to make this happen.

One species that is in high demand but will never come to GaiaZOO is the elephant. This is because the zoo believes that it does not have the space that an elephant needs to exhibit natural behaviour. In addition, according to the director, an enclosure must always look beautiful and attractive, and he knows of very few truly beautiful elephant enclosures.

Source: De toekomst van GaiaZoo: uitdagingen en uitbreidingen
 
In GaiaZOO, Q fever has been diagnosed among the forest reindeer. As a precaution, the herd of forest reindeer is currently staying in the separation enclosure behind the scenes and is being monitored closely by animal caretakers and veterinarians. Since the end of April, there have been several miscarriages in the herd of forest reindeer. In response to this, the veterinarian began searching for possible causes of these miscarriages. From the first suspicions that it might be Q fever, it was decided to keep the herd of reindeer in the enclosure behind the scenes. Last Friday evening, confirmation came that it was indeed Q fever.

GaiaZOO has therefore taken various precautions with the aim of safeguarding the health of employees, guests and animals as much as possible. Although the risk to visitors is very small, extra caution is recommended for certain risk groups.

All forest reindeer at GaiaZOO have now been vaccinated. This is the first time that Q fever has been diagnosed in reindeer, which is why vaccination has never been considered before.

Source: GaiaZOO
 
Two female Mountain bongos have arrived at GaiaZoo. They hope to receive a male later on.


I just saw this video in a digital newspaper and I was like... wow, I never knew mountain bongos were this threathened in the wild!
Good for Gaia Zoo for giving threathened ungulates the platform they deserve. Ouwehands keeps these guys in a corner somewhere o_O
 
I just saw this video in a digital newspaper and I was like... wow, I never knew mountain bongos were this threathened in the wild!
Good for Gaia Zoo for giving threathened ungulates the platform they deserve. Ouwehands keeps these guys in a corner somewhere o_O
The genetic variation in zoos is broader then in the wild so release programs could really help.
Sources: Redirecting
e-space
https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v5i3.247
I personally found them to be a bit optimistic with the population size in the wild. Looking at more recent data I think realistically it's a size of about 75 individuals.
 
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