Events Among the Sea Lions at New Location ARTIS

ARTIS continues to renew its animal housings and event venues. After opening the new residence for the elephants earlier this summer, ARTIS recently presented the renewed Robbenzaal (‘Seal Room’). This brand-new room at the sea lion facility can be converted into a special place for dinners, presentations and parties after closing hours.

The sea lions in ARTIS live in an elevated facility, where they can be observed by visitors from below through the large windows in the Robbenzaal. Although this was possible in the past, the tunnel was rather dark. It has now been renewed completely. With interactive screens and a modern light show, the illusion is created that the guests are under water – just like the sea lions.

Sea Lions and Penguins

This effect is displayed immediately during the official opening of this new room. When director Haig Bailan explains the idea behind the facility, wherein Californian sea lions live together in harmony with South-African penguins, eider ducks and pink pelicans – “only people divide animals in continents, animals don’t care” – one of the sea lions pops up behind the window. With big dark eyes the animal looks around the room from behind the window. Some ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ rise from the audience.

Diverse animal species living together in harmony in an ecosystem is the central topic in the Robbenzaal (‘Seal Room’). Californian sea lions live off the North-American coast and prefer sea areas with kelp; underwater forests made from large strings of brown algae and rich in all kinds of animal species, plants, and microbes. For many fish species these kelp forests are their breeding grounds. Sea lions can find shelter and food there. In the renewed Robbenzaal, visitors can learn about the ecosystem through interactive screens. The kelp in the sea lion basin offers behavioral enrichment for the animals – just like letting different animal species live together does.

Events

Regarding events, it’s great that the Robbenzaal lies underground beneath the facility, so sound waves don’t make their way through the walls. With a perfect sound installation, a modern light plan with hundreds of led lamps that respond to sound, and as spectacular decor the blue underwater world of the sea lions; this is a magnificent place for parties and dinners.