Luttenberg, Christiaan - Burgers Zoo, Arnhem Netherlands In 1993 I started working at Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem ( Netherlands ). At that time I still went to school for one day each week. I never had the intention to continue working in the Zoo after this education. Before I started at the zoo in never visited the 15.000m² big tropical hall called the Bush, which became my workplace fore over 15 years. The Bush together with the Desert (a big indoor Sonora Desert ) is one department at our zoo. The big indoor buildings, we call Eco-displays is what Burgers' Zoo is specialized in. In these Ecodisplays most animals are free ranging. Together with the plants they give a good impression of real nature. Because most animals are not in an enclosure, you never know what or which creatures you see that day. In my work OBSERVATION is the key word!!! Even the visitors literally have to search for the residents in these areas. And this results in an exiting encounter, which leaves a lasting impression. Some years ago I started working for the Dutch zoo keeper’s organization “De Harpij”. There I am one of the redaction members that try to get enough articles for the next copies. As a hobby I visit zoos, so many of my holidays I go from zoo to zoo world-wide. Earlier this year I became head keeper for all the animals in the Bush and Desert. This is again an exiting challenge in an already complex place.
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