Is it still acceptable to keep animals in captivity in 2018? What is the task of a zoo? These are dilemmas that the management of Amsterdam Zoo (Artis) is struggling with.

The New Artis, a documentary by Willemiek Kluijfhout, gives a look behind the scenes of the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, which has welcomed visitors for more than 175 years. Kluijfhout not only shows how much attention and care is paid to the animals, but also shows how people think about the role of the zoo in the present time. Can and should a zoo, for example, intervene in the survival of an endangered species? A dead serious, but at the same time ridiculous scene shows how a whole team of zookeepers helps in the reproduction process of a rare crocodile species – the false or Malayan gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii). Marketing also plays an increasingly important role in the zoo. How can the upcoming birth of an elephant be exploited the best? Will the birth take place before the autumn holiday begins? That would certainly boost the number of visitors. At the same time, the zoo tries to shift the visitor’s attention. Where once the focus was on large, exotic animals, the zoo now focuses more and more on entire ecosystems. Not only exotic giraffes should attract visitors, but also the world of bacteria and viruses gets attention. In addition, the experience of the animal is becoming increasingly important. But how do people relate to animals? Are they able to imagine – let alone assess – what animals experience in their artificial environment? The New Artis provides an interesting and transparent insight into the world behind the zoo fences.

(Source: 2Doc Het Nieuwe Artis)