Dierenpark Emmen

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Dierenpark Emmen, also known as Noorder Dierenpark, was a zoo located in Emmen, Drenthe, Netherlands. Founded in 1935 by Willem Oosting, it became a popular attraction, drawing over 1.5 million visitors annually by the 1980s. The zoo was known for its immersive animal exhibits and educational displays, including the Biochron evolution museum and the African Savanna, which housed various species like rhinoceroses and giraffes. Under the management of Oosting's daughter, Alied Rensen-Oosting, the zoo introduced innovative concepts such as zoogeographic exhibits and a botanical garden. The zoo operated until December 31, 2015, when it closed due to financial challenges and urban redevelopment. The site has since been transformed into Rensenpark, a public city park. The operations of Dierenpark Emmen have since relocated to Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, which opened in 2016 and features themed zones and immersive habitats.