Tilburg's Natuur Dierenpark

(Zoo Tilburg)

In 1932, Burgers Zoo was opened in Tilburg. Mr Burgers of the zoo with the same name in Arnhem bought a piece of land in Tilburg for his daughter and son-in-law Mr Van Glabbeek. They were just married and got the zoo as a gift.

After a good start with some succesful years, the numbers of visitors decreased. This was caused by competition with other zoos and the lack of other tourist attractions in Tilburg.

Mr and Mrs Van Glabbeek were very dedicated to their zoo, and were working from the early start of the day until the end of it to keep the animals and the park healthy.

Like many other zoos in The Netherlands the Second World War was a time of many problems. Mr and Mrs Van Glabbeek decided to sell the zoo because of the financial problems and the war. In 1946 the zoo was sold to the firm C. Van Dijk & Zn.

This company was a wholesaler's for animals, and used the zoo for storage. Besides that the zoo was open to the public. They changed the name into Tilburg's Natuur Dierenpark (Tilburgs Nature Zoo)

The two brothers Christ, and Nico Van Dijk gave back the zoo's former reputation, and were not longer traders of animals but animal keepers. Under their capable leadership the zoo increases to a famous park.

The death of Nico was a enormous setback for the zoo. A change of management - Christ steped out of the direction after some problems with Safaripark Beekse Bergen - and the increasing costs did no good to the zoo. The new director Harrie Van Dijk decided to sell the park. The council of Tilburg wanted the land of the zoo for a new building of the Academy of Tilburg.  The zoo was sold to the council of Tilburg.

On August 13, 1973 the zoo closed their gates forever.

Photo: old postcard of Zoo Tilburg,  not dated, (collection Gerald Postma)

Photo: old postcard of Zoo Tilburg,  not dated, (collection Gerald Postma)