Eindhoven Zoo expands collection with chimpanzees

Eindhoven Zoo is expanding its collection with a group of about eight chimpanzees. The preparations are currently being made. In two weeks the shovel will go into the ground for the construction of the enclosure. This involves an investment of about 700,000 euros.

Park manager Martin van Hees looks back on 2015 with satisfaction, in which the arrival of the cheetahs and the birth of the polar bear twins were the absolute highlights: "We once again attracted more than 250,000 visitors. We are content with that number, but we do expect to make further strides. Over the years we have grown from a regionally oriented zoo to a park with national appeal. We really belong to the bigger guys now. The fact that we are a member of the Dutch Association of Zoos, which unites the 12 largest zoos in the Netherlands, also confirms that fact. By continuing to invest and introduce new animals, we continue to build on this success. In 2016 we will exist 12.5 years so that is a nice benchmark."

Audiences

The young polar bear twins born in November may go outside for the first time in February/March. Van Hees is already looking forward to that: "Young polar bears are absolute crowd pullers, so we expect a lot of visitors by then. The chimpanzee enclosure should be ready in May/June. It will be near the entrance plaza and will be attached to the indoor playground. From there, visitors will soon be able to look inside the chimps as well."

Update polar bears

The polar bear twins, along with mother Frimas, still reside in the indoor enclosure. The cubs are growing well. Their eyes are now open. They cannot walk yet, but they are already "rolling" through the enclosure. The video below shows images of the young polar bears, taken with the camera hanging in the maternity den. In fact, the caretakers will not be around for the time being. In February/March the twins will go outside for the first time and at some point the sex determination can take place. Until then, the twins will go through life unnamed.