Historic Artis aquarium reopens after five-year renovation
After more than five years, the historic aquarium at Artis is nearly ready for visitors, with aquaria gradually being populated with fish, AT5 reports. This week, a large shipment of new animals arrived from Wildlands Zoo in Emmen, including a spotted smooth shark, crabs, and starfish.
Curator Alex Huiberse oversaw the delivery at the Artis gate. “It is rare to have carte blanche to design a new aquarium,” Huiberse said. He and three staff members unloaded the fish from specially designed containers. Smaller species were transported in barrels, while the one-meter-long spotted smooth shark, one of the largest in the aquarium, arrived in a large tub.
Due to health precautions, some animals must first undergo quarantine. The spotted smooth shark will spend three weeks in isolation before joining the main exhibit in the aquarium’s grand hall. “The shark swims in circles, as normal,” Huiberse said. “It’s a large tub with plenty of water, and it’s dark, which keeps it calm.”
The renovation, costing nearly 50 million euros, addressed saltwater leaks in the original concrete tanks. Built in 1882, the Artis aquarium is the oldest still-operating aquarium in the world. The project is the largest and most expensive restoration in the zoo’s history.
Over the coming weeks, aquaria will continue to be filled with fish and plants. Artis plans to reopen the aquarium to the public on Saturday, June 13.
