ARTIS Zoo has reimagined its historic 'The Rock' enclosure, creating a dynamic shared habitat for small-clawed otters and endangered red pandas. This carefully designed landscape promotes climbing, playing, and natural behaviors for these fascinating animals. Explore the new green island, surrounded by water and aquatic plants, which opened in May 2025.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Red panda on the Rock at ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam
ARTIS Zoo's iconic 'The Rock' enclosure has been transformed to house two new species: small-clawed otters and the endangered red panda. The renovated landscape features water, aquatic plants, and a central dead tree, providing ample space for natural behaviors like climbing and playing.
The modernist 'Rock' from 1966 at ARTIS Zoo has undergone a complete transformation, becoming a shared habitat for two distinct animal species. Since May, small-clawed otters have occupied the enclosure, and as of September 5, 2025, the endangered red panda has joined them. The renovated enclosure retains its character as a landscape feature, now a green island surrounded by water, boulders, and aquatic plants, specifically designed for the otters. Central to the design is a dead tree, which connects to the crowns of surrounding trees, allowing the red panda to climb nimbly and exhibit natural behavior. Landscape architect Thijs de Zeeuw designed the renovated enclosure, emphasizing the importance of providing ample space for natural behaviors such as climbing, playing, and retreating. The red panda is part of a European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), highlighting its vulnerable status in the wild due to deforestation and habitat loss. ARTIS actively contributes to conservation efforts through the EEP Forest Guardian Programme in Nepal.
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Red panda on the Rock at ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam
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