Burger's Zoo, Arnhem (must see)

Burgers' Zoo is one of the largest and most popular zoos in the country, attracting visitors from both the Netherlands and Germany. This renowned zoo offers a unique experience with its eight themed sites, each designed to replicate different natural habitats. These include the original zoo, a safari park, a tropical rainforest, a mangrove swamp, the Sonoran Desert, and seawater aquariums. Each theme site provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to observe animals in environments that closely mimic their natural habitats.

One of the standout features of Burgers' Zoo is its innovative approach to animal presentation. The zoo prioritizes creating spacious indoor ecosystems that simulate natural habitats, offering animals a more authentic and comfortable living environment. This approach not only enhances the well-being of the animals but also provides visitors with a more engaging and educational experience. Among these themed areas, Burgers' Rimba, a playground designed to resemble a Southeast Asian rainforest, stands out for its ability to give visitors an immersive impression of this lush, biodiverse environment.

Beyond its impressive exhibits, Burgers' Zoo is deeply committed to conservation and the captive breeding of endangered species. The zoo's facilities support various conservation efforts, including the breeding of animals that are nearly extinct in the wild. A notable example is the Socorro Dove (Zenaida graysoni), a species that no longer exists outside of captivity due to the introduction of mammals to its native island habitat. Burgers' Zoo is actively involved in breeding the Socorro Dove with the goal of eventually reintroducing it into its natural environment, highlighting the zoo's significant role in global conservation efforts.