I have mixed feelings about zoos. I agree that a well-managed zoo is an effective animal conservation effort. It helps parents, like me to teach our children about the other things that share our planet with us. I’ve visited many zoos across Europe and North America and clearly, some do it better than others. My unease stems from seeing animals in enclosures that are really too small or incongruent to their natural habitat.

The Artis Zoo in Amsterdam does most things really well. (Sadly, the big cat enclosures and the polar bear habitat aren’t up to snuff due to the constraints of the Victorian zoo design and the lack of room to expand the zoo. I hope they’re working at improving that.)

In particular, it recently opened a butterfly pavilion that is home to about 1000 butterflies of 20 different varieties. I’ve been there several times since it’s inception in October and it has become a “must-do” for my young son. It has a magical feeling about it – the exotic and fragrant tropical flowers, plants and treees, the babbling brook running through the pavilion, and the flitting flashes of colour as butterflies circle around your head. It’s hilarious to see adults getting all giddy and excited, often heard exclaiming, “Did you see that one? Look at that blue butterfly! It tried to land on me!”

They also have a large cocoon case which houses hundreds of butterflies-in-waiting. Each time we’ve been there, we’ve watched butterflies hatch and released. You can also catch the leaf-cutter ant exhibit which is incredibly cool. The entire enclosure is made up of clear plexi-glass and you watch these tiny titans go through the paces of their very, busy lifestyle.

The zoo itself is quite diverse, in addition to the regular animals that you would expect; there is a small but entertaining aquarium (a great place to hide out from the rain for a bit) with electric eels, octopus and piranhas. You can also check out the zoological museum, geological museum and a planetarium.

Another nice detail of Artis is the Japanese Stone garden complete with an impressive stone Buddha and gingko trees. Recently, my son and I sat under the gaze of the Buddha and enjoyed a delicious packed picnic lunch.

A great hit with the kids is the penguin habitat. (Perhaps this has to do with last years animated movie, Happy Feet) A couple of months ago, we spent a rainy and cold afternoon watching the black and white birds waddling around and swimming when the zoo keeper came over to us and a few others and asked if we wanted to see something special. He took us around the back of the enclosure and let us into the Staff Only door. Close to a large rock and under a heater lamp stood a baby penguin, small and downy. The zoo keeper fed the bird some pureed fish mush whilst explaining the finer details of caring for this kind of animal. He spoke only Dutch but we managed to understand the gist of what he was saying

The Artis Zoo, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands is a beautiful gem tucked away in the middle of the city, accessible by tram, bicycle, car or boat! It’s a well-laid out city zoo that is accessible for small children and older people alike. Just don’t forget to bring your umbrella!