GaiaZOO

GaiaZOO is a Dutch zoo located in Kerkrade. It opened in 2005 as GaiaPark[3] with approximately 80 different species.[1] As of 2014 the zoo hosts approximately 100 different species.[2]

GaiaZOO
Date opening1 June 2005[1]
LocationKerkrade
Coordinates50°52′10″N 6°2′58″E
Land area25 hectares (62 acres)
No. of speciesapprox. 100 [2]
Websitewww.gaiazoo.nl

Naming

GaiaZOO is named after Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth. It also refers to the Gaia hypothesis which proposes the Earth is one big living organism. This organism includes all Earths' fauna, flora, water, sky and surface.[4]

Species

GaiaZOO hosts approximately 100 different species.[5] Besides traditional zoo animals such as gorillas, rhinoceroses, lions, zebras ... GaiaZOO has some species which cannot be found in other Dutch zoos such as Amazon bush dogs, wolverines, muskoxen and bat-eared foxes.[5]

EAZA and breeding programmes

GaiaZOO is member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and participates in breeding programs.

In 2014 three lion cubs were born and were named after the daughters of the Dutch king Willem-Alexander. Unfortunately, on Koningsdag the adult lions killed and ate the cubs.[6][7]

DinoDome

As from season 2008 GaiaZOO has Europe's biggest indoor dinosaur-themed playground named DinoDome with an area of 2,500 square metres (27,000 sq ft).[8][9]

References
  1. "Opening GaiaPark" [Opening GaiaPark] (in Dutch). 1 June 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  2. "Collectie Management" [Management Collection] (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  3. "GaiaPark wordt GaiaZOO" [GaiaPark becomes GaiaZOO] (in Dutch). 19 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  4. "GaiaTheorie" [GaiaTheory] (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  5. "Van Aap tot Zebra" [From Ape until Zebra] (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  6. "Drie welpjes GaiaZOO Kerkrade opgegeten" [Three cubs in GaiaZOO Kerkrade eaten] (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  7. Kupi, Krisztina (27 April 2014). "Three baby lions eaten at Dutch zoo". Archived from the original on 22 September 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  8. "GaiaZOO Zuid-Limburg". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  9. "Dinodome". Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
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