Kerbertterras From lions to lemurs
For almost a hundred years, lions lived on the Kerbertterras in ARTIS Zoo.
In 2025, the iconic terrace underwent a thorough restoration.
Revolutionary habitat
The design of the iconic 1929 habitat was inspired by the zoo that German animal trader and circus director Carl Hagenbeck opened near Hamburg in 1907. There, animals lived in more natural-looking environments and were not separated from visitors by bars, but by moats and ditches. This idea was revolutionary at the time, and many zoos created habitats in this style.
From then to now
- built in
- 1927-1928
- monument number
- 518289
- formerly home to
- lions
- now home to
- ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, and radiated tortoises
Coenraad Kerbert
The structure was named after ARTIS’s second director, Coenraad Kerbert (1849–1927). The lions, which had previously lived behind bars in the nearby Predator Gallery, were introduced on the Kerbertterras to sand, stone, fresh air, and sunlight.
New habitat for the lions
Although revolutionary at the time, the terrace no longer meets today’s standards and insights for proper lion care. That is why, in 2023, the lions moved to a new, larger habitat at the back of ARTIS Zoo.
Mini Madagascar
In 2025, the iconic Kerbertterras underwent a major restoration and was transformed into a living environment for ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, and radiated tortoises. Air tunnels connect the former lion habitat with the Lemur Land opposite. It is now an enriched habitat for the animals, complete with different subareas. At the same time, the historical character of the monument remains preserved.
