Artis
Encyclopedia
Artis, short for Natura Artis Magistra (Latin
for "Nature is the teacher of art"), is a zoo
in the centre of Amsterdam
. It is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands
. In addition to the zoo, Artis has an aquarium
, a planetarium
, a geological museum, and a zoological museum.
The zoo is a member of the Dutch Zoo Federation
(NVD), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
(EAZA), the International Species Information System
(ISIS), and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(WAZA).
The core of the current zoo property, then the "Middenhof" estate, was purchased by the board of the Zoological Society "Natura Artis Magistra" late in 1938 in the Plantage
, which was then a rural area on the outskirts of Amsterdam. From the start it exhibited both live and mounted specimens.
The zoo is commonly referred to as Artis, because the zoo has three gates with Natura Artis Magistra written above them. Usually only the middle gate was open, so people who walked through that gate, looked what was written above it and saw 'Artis', thinking that the zoo was just called Artis. Soon few knew it as Natura Artis Magistra.
The last quagga
in captivity died at Artis on 12 August 1883. At the time all Zebras were referred to as quagga, so nobody realized that this was the last quagga alive until years later. The last quagga has been stuffed and is now on display at the zoological museum at Artis.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "Nature is the teacher of art"), is a zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
in the centre of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. It is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. In addition to the zoo, Artis has an aquarium
Public aquarium
A public aquarium is the aquatic counterpart of a zoo, housing living aquatic species for viewing. Most public aquariums feature tanks larger than those kept by home aquarists, as well as smaller tanks. Since the first public aquariums were built in the mid-19th century, they have become popular...
, a planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
, a geological museum, and a zoological museum.
The zoo is a member of the Dutch Zoo Federation
Dutch Zoo Federation
The Dutch Zoo Federation is an association of 15 large zoos in the Netherlands. NVD was founded in 1966 and all of its member zoos are also members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ....
(NVD), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
-External links:*...
(EAZA), the International Species Information System
International Species Information System
-External links:*...
(ISIS), and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums is the "umbrella" organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community. Its mission is to provide leadership and support for zoos, aquariums, and partner organizations of the world in animal care and welfare, conservation of biodiversity, environmental...
(WAZA).
History
The zoo was founded in 1838 by Gerard Westerman, J.W.H. Werlemann and J.J. Wijsmuller (also known as the three Ws). It was initially open only to members. Starting in 1851 it was opened to the public during the month of September. In 1920 it was opened year-round to the public, but September remains discount month.The core of the current zoo property, then the "Middenhof" estate, was purchased by the board of the Zoological Society "Natura Artis Magistra" late in 1938 in the Plantage
Plantage (Amsterdam)
Plantage is a neighborhood of Amsterdam, Netherlands. More information about the neighborhood: ....
, which was then a rural area on the outskirts of Amsterdam. From the start it exhibited both live and mounted specimens.
The zoo is commonly referred to as Artis, because the zoo has three gates with Natura Artis Magistra written above them. Usually only the middle gate was open, so people who walked through that gate, looked what was written above it and saw 'Artis', thinking that the zoo was just called Artis. Soon few knew it as Natura Artis Magistra.
The last quagga
Quagga
The quagga is an extinct subspecies of the plains zebra, which was once found in great numbers in South Africa's Cape Province and the southern part of the Orange Free State. It was distinguished from other zebras by having the usual vivid marks on the front part of the body only...
in captivity died at Artis on 12 August 1883. At the time all Zebras were referred to as quagga, so nobody realized that this was the last quagga alive until years later. The last quagga has been stuffed and is now on display at the zoological museum at Artis.