Flanders has thirteen accredited zoos. None of them has as rich a history as Antwerp Zoo. It was founded in 1843 as the country’s very first zoo.
From the very beginning, Antwerp Zoo has primarily been a place where people go to relax and watch animals in captivity—especially exotic animals like lions, chimpanzees, and elephants. Precisely because they come from Africa or Asia, they fascinate people. They make us dream of another world, far from home.
But Antwerp Zoo has always aspired to be more than just an attraction. Since its inception, the institution has had a scientific and educational mission. Scientists have been studying animals there since the 1840s, and tens of thousands of schoolchildren have visited on field trips.
The cultural activities of the Antwerp Zoo are truly unique. Since its founding in 1843, Antwerp Zoo has offered an extensive music program—which has been held in the Queen Elisabeth Hall since 1960. The Antwerp Zoo is also an important venue for the visual arts. The Zoo preserves and exhibits an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Animals are almost always the central focus of these works.
In the 1980s, Antwerp Zoo adopted an additional mission. From that point on, the zoo actively focused on breeding endangered species. Animals bred in captivity were intended to replace those that had died in the exhibition collection. After all, the capture of animals in the wild was facing increasingly fierce criticism and stricter regulations. Thanks to these breeding programs, the zoo is also able to help conserve endangered species.
This story was created by Geheugen Collectief for FAAM – Virtual Museum.
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