Blijdorp and Ecowende present new experience in the Oceanium

Monday 7 July 2025

Wind energy is essential for the energy transition, but it also raises questions: how do wind farms affect life in and around the North Sea? The new exhibit, officially opened to the public last Saturday, demonstrates that innovation and nature can go hand in hand. To realise this project, Diergaarde Blijdorp collaborated with Ecowende.

Jeroen Kappelhof, Director of Conservation & Science at Blijdorp, said: “The collaboration with Ecowende is a great opportunity to make our ambitions for a Sustainable North Sea tangible — to learn and show how offshore wind farms can eventually contribute to ecological restoration and species conservation.”

In Living with Wind Parks, the public gets to see what Ecowende is doing to minimise disturbance to nature and positively contribute to the ecology of the North Sea. As visitors enter the exhibit, they walk along the seabed and can see firsthand what happens below the surface — a unique glimpse into a normally hidden world.

Folkert Visser, Project Director at Ecowende, said: “The opening of this new exhibit is a special moment for Ecowende. It’s the first time we’re sharing with the broader public what we’re doing — and planning — in the North Sea. Until now, our updates on the wind farm’s construction, our eco-innovations, and the lessons learned were shared mainly within the industry. From now on, everyone can visit Diergaarde Blijdorp to discover what our project is about and what our mission is.”

At the heart of the exhibit is the North Sea itself. Numerous innovative solutions and scientific insights are brought to life. For example, one aquarium displays a wind turbine base: its holes serve as shelters, and around the rock covering live various sea creatures like anemones, starfish, and crabs. Old fruit trees are repurposed into “tree reefs,” where rays, squid, and other species lay their eggs — forming a true nursery. The exhibit illustrates how artificial reefs contribute to a rich ecosystem, supporting species like pouting, smooth-hound sharks, mussels, lobsters, and oysters.

Wind turbines also impact above water. Their size and spinning blades pose challenges for birds and bats. To protect them, more wind turbines are being equipped with radar systems.

In the interactive radar game, visitors can operate wind turbines themselves: save the birds and generate enough energy. Through the Diergaarde Blijdorp app, people can also complete an interactive expedition — even outside the zoo. In a playful way, Diergaarde Blijdorp and Ecowende raise awareness among young and old about the balance between nature and energy production.