🦛 Close to Tanja – Amsterdam’s most famous hippo

This autumn, Tanja, the beloved icon of ARTIS, returns to the Groote Museum. The exhibition “Close to Tanja” (17 October 2025 – 10 May 2026) brings her story to life and shows why this extraordinary hippo continues to make such a lasting impression.

For decades, Tanja was a familiar presence at ARTIS, adored by generations of visitors. When she passed away in 2009, hundreds came to say goodbye – a moment still remembered by many today.

The exhibition explores Tanja’s legacy through three themes:

• Tanja and the visitor – personal memories, photos and drawings from generations of Amsterdammers resulting in a collective expo
• Then and now – how zoos and animal care have changed since the 19th century, and why Tanja was the last hippo at ARTIS.
• A closer look at the hippo – from a symbol of fertility to an endangered species: how humans have perceived hippos through the ages, and what that says about us.

The exhibition also offers a behind-the-scenes look at taxidermy: how an animal is given a “second life,” and why this practice is important for research and education.

With sixty years of ARTIS history behind her and a permanent place in the hearts of many, Tanja once again invites us to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals.

📅 On view from 17 October 2025 – 10 May 2026
📍 ARTIS-Groote Museum

Photos: Ronald van Weeren