Find out more
about GaiaZOO
By pointing out the beauty but also the fragility of nature, we want to create awareness and convince people of the need for nature conservation, so future generations can continue to enjoy all the beauty our earth has to offer.
Our mission:
At GaiaZOO, you will experience how extraordinary our earth is. Our aim is to strive for a perfect zoo in every respect and, in doing so, evoke love and respect for nature and inspire visitors to protect our earth. With an eye for detail, we create a beautifully landscaped zoo in the hilly landscape of southern Limburg, with natural and spacious enclosures in which animals can exhibit natural behaviour. We offer our guests a special experience thanks to sustainable management, optimal quality and services.
The Gaia Theory
Biologist and scientist James Lovelock realised that the earth was not just ‘a planet with life’. He created the ‘Gaia Theory’: the earth is a super-organism in which the living and non-living elements all play an important part. It is therefore important to respect and protect all the elements to ensure the earth remains healthy. Lovelock calls the earth Gaia, referring to the mythological figure ‘Mother Earth’ from ancient Greece.
GaiaZOO’s logo has the shape of the earth. The colours symbolise soil, water, air and life itself. We define the ‘fingerprint’ we leave behind and must treat the fragile earth consciously and sparingly.
GaiaZOO & Gaia Nature Fund
Gaia Nature Fund is GaiaZOO’s conservation foundation. Every year, GNF makes financial contributions to various projects for endangered species from GaiaZOO’s four habitats (Limburg, Taiga, Savanna, Rainforest). Throughout the year, various fundraising campaigns are organised for different species. In 2025, the focus will be on the European Hamster! Find out how you can help on the website of Gaia Nature Fund.
Sustainability
We believe that we depend on the natural resources of planet Earth. We see it as our duty to preserve them for all living things today and for future generations. We implement sustainability wherever possible in our own operations. But we also want to set a good example to our guests. We aim to raise awareness about the role our visitors play themselves and inspire them to take sustainable steps in their own lives too.
Our green mission statement therefore reads:
By facilitating unique experiences and encounters with animals and nature, love and respect for nature can grow in our visitors. We show what we are doing ourselves for sustainability and nature conservation. In this way, we inspire our visitors to preserve and protect nature.
Our animal collection
Animal welfare and attention to the animals’ natural behaviour are key at GaiaZOO. That is why the animals have spacious, natural enclosures that meet their needs. To measure animal welfare, behavioural studies are carried out. With the results, we can continue to improve animal welfare in GaiaZOO and, in many cases, also contribute to the protection of the species in the wild.
Did you know that GaiaZOO will commit to species conservation as much as possible? Before a species comes to GaiaZOO, we first look at its IUCN endangered status. This is because we think it is important to create space for animal species that need our help.
Regional nature
GaiaZOO believes that all animals play an indispensable part in nature. Also in our own ‘backyard’! Biodiversity is important for a healthy nature. That is why we help endangered Limburg animal species such as the garden doormouse and European hamster. Through breeding projects, we return them to nature together with nature organisations and researchers.
We also help local nature in the ZOO. We place nesting boxes for birds, build insect hotels, provide space for all kinds of amphibians and small mammals and have created various colourful seas of flowers. This is not only a paradise for bumblebees, butterflies and birds, but also for us!
