In our global mission to restore and protect nature, financial support is essential. The projects initiated by Diergaarde Blijdorp, such as the Tree Nursery in the Himalayas and the Caribbean Hub in the Caribbean, are crucial for safeguarding endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems.
By supporting our projects, you directly contribute to the protection of nature that Diergaarde Blijdorp is committed to. Join our mission and help us create lasting positive change.
In the Caribbean Sea, an area globally renowned for its biodiversity and natural beauty, Rotterdam Zoo is at the forefront of nature conservation. Our efforts focus on the Bonaire Hub, an innovative centre that plays a vital role in protecting coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them.
The hub serves as the cornerstone of the Roffa Reefs project, where we work closely with local communities, fishermen, and international organisations to study and support the reproduction of reef fish. This research is vital: without insight into the reproductive cycles of these species, effective reef restoration is impossible.
The Caribbean Hub on Bonaire is not only a scientific research centre but also an educational platform designed to raise awareness of the urgency of coral conservation. With the establishment of this hub, Diergaarde Blijdorp has positioned itself as a pioneer in marine ecosystem protection.
Given the current environmental crises affecting our oceans, such as coral bleaching and ocean acidification, the mission of the Caribbean Hub is more relevant than ever. Nearly half of all coral worldwide has disappeared in the past thirty years, and without decisive action, these losses will continue. The work we do on Bonaire is crucial to preserving these vital ecosystems, which are home to one-third of all marine fish species and 25% of all ocean biodiversity.
Diergaarde Blijdorp invites companies and individuals to take part in this important work. Your support is essential for maintaining our activities and further developing methods and techniques that can be applied worldwide. Together, we can make a significant impact on protecting our precious coral reefs and the beautiful yet fragile life forms that depend on them.
Whether you make a small or large contribution, your support is critical to saving coral reefs.
- With a donation of €1,000, you can fund 10 DNA analyses. By supporting this research, your organisation contributes to groundbreaking scientific work and becomes part of the first research results in this field.
- With a contribution of €7,500, you can symbolically support a scientific student, enabling us to fund six months of research for this important work.
Benefits of supporting the Bonaire Hub
- With 1.5 million visitors annually and a strong national online presence, Diergaarde Blijdorp offers a unique opportunity to reach a broad and diverse audience and profile your organisation.
- A personalised certificate acknowledging the number of DNA analyses you have made possible (from 10 analyses onwards).
- Invitations to exclusive events and networking opportunities with like-minded organisations supporting Diergaarde Blijdorp.
- An annual invitation to the Bonaire Hub results update event.
Roffa Reefs aims to revolutionise the breeding and feeding of marine fish. In close collaboration with Rotterdam Zoo, we have developed 100% vegan aquaculture fish feed. The first tests with prototypes of our solar-powered breeding system are now operational. Discover our story!
The Himalayan mountain range, one of the most impressive and diverse ecosystems on Earth, is under increasing pressure. Population growth and infrastructure development, such as hydropower plants, are accelerating deforestation. This fragmentation threatens the habitats of many unique species, including the endangered red panda. Acting now allows us to reverse this trend.
For this reason, Diergaarde Blijdorp launched the Tree Nursery Project, an initiative developed in collaboration with local communities and international partners to restore red panda habitats. The project includes the establishment of Conservation Nurseries in Nepal and India, where native trees are grown and later used for reforestation of degraded areas. These nurseries also strengthen local communities by actively involving them in protecting and managing natural resources.
Our goal is to plant one million trees by 2028 in the Panchthar–Ilam–Taplejung (PIT) Corridor. This reforestation initiative is critical for the survival of the red panda and other high-altitude species such as the Pallas’s cat, as well as for the preservation of ancient rhododendrons and rare alpine flora.
At Diergaarde Blijdorp itself, we bring this project to life for our visitors. In our on-site Tree Nursery, we demonstrate on a smaller scale how trees are cultivated for future forest restoration. This experiential exhibition helps visitors understand the complexity of conservation and the scientific and practical steps required to achieve it.
Whether you are a small or large organisation, your support is essential. With a contribution of €3,000, we can plant 100 trees, creating tangible and lasting impact.
Benefits of supporting the Tree Nursery
- Access to Diergaarde Blijdorp’s broad audience of 1.5 million visitors annually and a strong national online presence.
- Invitation to the VIP opening of the Tree Nursery Project at Diergaarde Blijdorp.
- Invitations to exclusive events and networking opportunities with other Blijdorp supporters.
- Knowledge sharing through a Blijdorp speaker (by arrangement).
- A tree certificate acknowledging your contribution.
