Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Apenheul

logo Apenheul. Photo by Apenheul. WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Apenheul

Apenheul is a Primate zoo located in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. The park specializes in Apes and Monkeys.

It was officially opened in 1971. The first zoo in the world where Monkeys are not caged. They walk around freely in the forest and between the visitors.

Apenheul started with just a few species. It currently displays more than 30 different primates such as the Bonobo, Gorilla and Orangutan.

The idea of the Apenheul came from Photographer Wim Mager in the 1960s. He had several monkeys as pets. Wim believed that both humans and primates would benefit from housing the animals in a natural forest.

He created the Apen-heul.  Apen means Monkey and heaul is an old word for a haven.

Let’s learn the top 10 unbelievable Facts about Apenheul

1. Apenheul Primate Park was Conceptualized by a Photographer

picture of Wim Mager. Author Remencommon. WIKIMEDIA

In the 1960s, Wim Mager, a photographer from Rotterdam, bought two Marmosets. He purchased them from a pet shop. At that time, it was legal for private citizens to own monkeys.

The two Marmosets gave birth to little ones. This made Wim desire a natural like environment whereby the animals can live.

He conceptualized an idea of Apenheul. He gave up his job as a photographer to develop the idea instead.

2. Apenheul Opened on 12 July 1971 as a Small but Revolutionary Animal Park

Entrance to the Apenheul Primate Park, Apeldoorn. Author David Stanley. WIKIMEDIA 

The dream of Wim Mager came to reality. It was officially opened on July 12, 1971. It was a small but revolutionary animal park.

The park started with some woolly monkeys, some marmosets and a pair of spider monkeys. It is located in the nature park of Mountain and wood ( Berg en Bos).

The monkeys continued to increase by giving birth and the visitors enjoyed the experience. The park become more popular with visitors and primatologists.

This led to the expansion of the park. More primate species were introduced.

3. The Second Healthy Gorilla Baby in  Netherlands 

stern lowland gorilla Apenheul. Author Jiel. WIKIMEDIA

The first Gorillas were introduced to the Apenheul Primate Park in 1976. Three years later, the first Gorilla baby was born.The baby was only the second healthy baby that was born in the Netherlands. 

The baby was raised by its mother. This is special in captivity. It remains a rare event.

Since then, Apenheul began receiving more and more visitors. Primatologists and Zoo workers came from all over the world to learn from this unique set-up. Today, the park remainings a tourist attraction.

4. Apenheul was the First Zoo in the World where Monkeys could Roam Freely

Bolivian Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) family. Author Julielangford . WIKIMEDIA

The Primates park is ranked as the first zoo in the world where Monkeys could walk around freely. The monkeys are not caged rather they walk freely in the forest and between the visitors.

The concept of the park was simple. People have more fun with animals and the animals have a good time by roaming freely. This is enabled by the large, green, natural habitats in a wooded area where the animals are kept.

5. The Only Dutch Zoo with Bonobos Hominid Species

Bonobo (pan paniscus), Apenheul. Author Jiel. WIKIMEDIA

In 1996, the Apenheul park welcomed its first Bonobos. It is the only Dutch Zoo with this type of Hominid Species.

The bonobo is an endangered great ape. It is one of the two species making up the genus Pan, the other being the Common Chimpanzee.

The bonobo is distinguished by relatively long legs, pink lips, dark face, tail-tuft through adulthood, and parted long hair on its head. Along with the common chimpanzee, the bonobo is the closest extant relative to humans. The species is frugivorous.

6. The First Zoo in History to Release Animals that were Born in Captivity into the Wild

In the early eighties and nineties, Apenheul developed a reintroduction programme together with the Brazilian government. It participated in a Golden Lion Tamarin reintroduction programme.

Successful, the park reintroduction the Golden Lion in the Wild. For the first time in history, a Dutch zoo released animals that were born in captivity into the wild.

Since then, it has managed to release 150 golden lion tamarins in the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. However, offspring from the Apenheul Golden Lion Tamarins now live there

7. Home to about 70 Species of Animals 35 of which are Primates

Apenheul is home to about 70 species of animals. 35 species are primates.

The park houses animals such as Lemurs from Madagascar, Monkeys from central and south America monkeys and apes from Asia and Africa.

Most Primates Living at the park were born there or in other zoos. This is because Apenheul actively takes part in breeding programmes for a whole range of primate species.

Some of the primates include black-capped squirrel monkeys, yellow-breasted capuchins, black howlers, Lac Alaotra bamboo lemurs, crowned sifakas, ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, red-bellied lemurs, crowned lemurs and blue-eyed black, etc.

8. Apenheul Lost 46 Monkeys in Fire Incident

In 1981, a major setback occurred. The cabin which Apenheul began burned to the ground. It left 46 Monkeys dead. However, the building was subsequently replaced.

9. The Founder of the Apenheul Primate Conservation Trust

In 1994, the park established the Apenheul Primate Conservation Trust. It actively participates in nature conservation worldwide.

10. The Park Conveys the Gorilla Feeding Demonstration

The park’s mission is to foster a love of animals and nature. Thus, the zookeepers convey this through their demonstrations.

The Gorilla feeding demonstrations are a highlight of the visit for many visitors. The demonstration was selected as the Best Animal Demonstration in the Netherlands and Belgium at the Diamond Theme Park Awards last year.

Apenheul is a beautiful, green zoo where 500,000 people experience an unforgettable day out every year. In 2016 the zoo was voted the best day out in the Netherlands.