21th Jly, 2010 July 20th around 22.00 hours an elephant calf was born in Rotterdam Zoo. It is the 15th elephant born  in Rotterdam and the tenth female. It is the first time we chose for mother Bangka to deliver within the group and outside, like in the wild. Delivery in the paddock appeared to be quite an advantage because the calf had a soft landing on sand instead of on concrete, she could stand almost immediately without wasting energy. Therefore enough energy was left for her to locate the teats. Within two hours after birth she was drinking. Read the full story >>

May, 21th 2010

For the first time in eight years tigers were born in Rotterdam Zoo. The keepers found tigress Alia with three cubs in her delivery den. One cub was very weak and died after a short while, the other two are doing well so far. Soon they both found a teat and started drinking mother’s milk which is a good sign.

Read more & watch the YouTube-video>>

May, 2010

Since the first week of June,2010, our Colobus monkeys moved to their new, spaceous enclosure at the edge of the African savanna next to the servals.

Colobus monkeys love being high up in the trees. They are masterful escapists therefore a wire netting was used. Their night house is hided from view by rock-work fitting this biotope. In the back ground zebras and ostriches form the scenary. Compared to their former, temporary housing, an island in the Blijdorp pond, the colobus monkeys are much better off in their new spaceous residence which is adapted to their habitat.

Next to the Colobus monkeys the “Friends of Rotterdam Zoo” opened in May, 2010 a new housing of the servals, elegant African felines with long legs. At that time the female serval was very busy with herself instead of exploring her new surroundings. She was on heat showing it loud and clear. Mewing and head rubbing against blades of grass and pieces of rock she walked about in the new surroundings. The male watching her from a distance. So far no mating attempt has been made.

The animals have a spacious indoor accomodation as well as an extensive run neighbouring a group of zebras, ostriches, giraffes and koodoos. Presently the final touches are put on the permanent quarters for the colobus monkeys.

In July after completing the new territory for the vultures, marabou storks and others, the African vulture rock, the savanna will be finished.

May, 2010

In Rotterdam Zoo visitors can sign an international petition demanding the European Commission to ensure that all member states effectively implement the existing legislation forbidding the use of poison to control wildlife.

The petition will be presented to the European Parliament. This petition is an initiative of the European carnivore campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquarias (EAZA) in which Rotterdam Zoo is actively partaking. The campaign is drawing the visitors’ attention to the dangers of illegally using poison to kill ‘unwanted’ animals. Animals, often predators fall victim after eating this bait.

Research showed that with vultures this is an important cause of death. Rotterdam Zoo will draw extra attention to this problem at the opening of the newAfrican vulture enclosure called Vulture rock that will be opened before the summer holidays.

Sign the petition>>

April, 2010

Our rock hyraxes, African spurred tortoises and various birds living in our crocodile river heartily welcomed this tiny antilope in their midst. This graceful diminutive antilope came from Artis, Amsterdam Zoo. Alas, to try and find a congener is impossible because in Europe no more than five Klipspringers could be found.
Together with other zoos Rotterdam Zoo hopes to find a partner for “Klippie".

Watch the movie on our YouTubeChannel>>

April, 2010

Weather permitting Easter born giraffe baby Doris can often be seen on the savanna galopping between her adult family members and the greater koodoos. Compared to her relatives she looks very tiny, but at birth a giraffe already stands two metres (some 3 yards). Walking on the footbridge along the savanna you are at eye level with the adult giraffes.

The koodoos sharing the savanna with the giraffes had an addition to the family as well. Mother Niki produced a son, Nico. Greater koodoos belong to greatest antilope species with conspicuous big ears. The koodoos and the giraffes are living together in the same area and are good companions. From an optical point of view they are also living together with zebras and ostriches, but actually they are seperated by natural barriers such as rocky riverbeds and streamlets. See photo's below..

November 25th, 2009  The giraffes and kudus have new neighbours. Rotterdam Zoos new savanna is now expaned with a hyena enclosure. The savanna-neighbours reacted surprised during the release of the hyenas although they cannot see them.... The spotted hyena's feel completely at home, watch the photos:

September 30th, 2009

The Blijdorp Babyboom continues: a critically endangered pigmy hippo was born. It's a babygirl named Flory. Pygmy hippos grow to just over 3ft tall (1/5th of the size of the common hippopotamus) and is the only other species of hippo in the world. There are less than 3000 remaining in the wild.

update November 9th 2009: Flory is a very good swimmer

September 25th, 2009

On September 9th, 2009 an extremely rare Asiatic lion cub was born in Rotterdam Zoo. The baby is one of the few hundred Asiatic lions left in the world. This YouTube film shows 'the making of', the birth and the first steps...

Update November 25th 2009: The lion cub is a girl and named Naui (='nine' in Hindi, referring to her birth date 9-9-9). She already received her first vaccination.

February 10th, 2009
Click on the photo to watch the video of the birth of this little elephant & her first steps>

On February 10 around 1:15 AM elephant Douanita gave birth to a healthy daughter. The little girl received the name Tonya after former director of the Rotterdam Zoo: Ton Dorresteijn.

Watch the birth of this little elephant & her first steps at our youtube-page: http://www.youtube.com/diergaardeblijdorp

UPDATES:

• 25/3/09: elephant Bangka (daughter of Irma & Alexander) pregnant (gestation time: 22 months, baby expected: +/- August 2010)
• 12/2/09: elephant Irma finally gives birth tot dead calf (baby died a year ago, but was never born)
• March 2009: Tonya set her first steps outside. Our photographer Rob Doolaard made some photo's:

July 8th, 2009

Today Mayor Aboutaleb of Rotterdam opened the new savanna at Rotterdam ZOO.

Now you can join the birds and migrate to Africa to end up by the Crocodile River. An exciting decking path takes you safely up past a group of large crocodiles! Once you're at the top you stand eye to eye with the giraffes and at a safe altitude you can admire the other inhabitants of the savanna such as hyenas, kudus, ostriches and zebras.