Cerrado

## Cerrado in Alphen aan den Rijn: A Slice of South America Inside Vogelpark Avifauna If you’re planning a day in Alphen aan den Rijn and you’re even vaguely interested in wildlife, the Cerrado area inside Vogelpark Avifauna is one of the most distinctive things you can see in South Holland. It’s not just “another animal enclosure”: it’s a carefully designed South American savanna landscape where several rare and threatened species live together in a shared habitat. Avifauna This article focuses on that specific attraction – often referred to as the Argentijnse Cerrado – located in Alphen aan den Rijn (approx. 52.1402808 N, 4.6498769 E). --- ## What “Cerrado” Actually Means The Dutch name here isn’t random branding. It comes from the Cerrado biome in South America, a vast, rugged savanna region known for high biodiversity and a mix of grasslands, shrubs and scattered trees. Avifauna Avifauna leans into that meaning in two ways: - In Portuguese, “cerrado” literally means “closed”, referring to the dense, tough vegetation and the relative inaccessibility of the original region. Avifauna - The exhibit uses rock formations, grasslands and a layered terrain to suggest an environment that feels a bit wild and hard to penetrate, even though visitors can walk through it safely. Avifauna So when you see “Cerrado” on the park map, think “South American pampa/savanna habitat”, not “closed” as in “not open”. --- ## The Argentijnse Cerrado at Vogelpark Avifauna ### Location and context The Cerrado is a themed zone inside Vogelpark Avifauna, the long-running bird park at Hoorn 59, 2404 HG Alphen aan den Rijn, about halfway between Leiden and Utrecht. Avifauna Avifauna started life as one of the world’s first dedicated bird parks, but over time it has evolved toward mixed-species habitats rather than simple bird cages. The Argentijnse Cerrado is one of those newer zones, developed on the former “Uilenberg” (Owl Hill) area and opened in 2022. Zoos ### Landscape design Within a relatively compact footprint, Avifauna has built a landscape that echoes the South American pampa: - Extensive grassland areas for grazing species. Avifauna - Large, reddish rock outcrops and existing height differences reused from the old hill site. - Two waterfalls and a meandering stream that winds through the area, used by black-necked swans. Avifauna - Multiple viewing platforms and lookouts, allowing you to see how the animals use different parts of the terrain and giving clear sight lines for photography. Avifauna One section is a walk-through zone for mara’s (large Patagonian rodents), where visitors follow a path through the animals’ own space rather than standing behind a barrier. Avifauna --- ## The Species You Can See in the Cerrado The exhibit brings together a set of birds and mammals that naturally occur in South America and are compatible in a shared habitat. Avifauna ### Giant anteaters One of the headline species here is the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). - Avifauna has a pair of giant anteaters – a male named Guba from Hungary and a female named Wiffi from the Czech Republic – brought in via the European zoo association (EAZA) network specifically for this exhibit. Avifauna - In the wild, giant anteaters live in grasslands, deciduous forests and rainforests in Central and South America, moving through open areas to forage for ants and termites. Avifauna - The species is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, fires, roadkill and hunting. The Cerrado layout – with a mix of open space, shelter and varied ground – gives visitors a chance to watch behaviours like foraging and exploration that are typical of the species in the wild. Avifauna ### Darwin’s rheas (Darwin nandoes) The tall, flightless birds you’ll see striding through the grass are Darwin’s rheas (Rhea pennata), called Darwin-nandoes in Dutch. - They are smaller relatives of ostriches, with brown-grey plumage and a lighter underside. Avifauna - In South America they roam open plains and steppe-like grasslands, grazing as they go and fleeing potential predators at speed. Avifauna In the Avifauna Cerrado they share the terrain with other grazers and waterbirds, giving a realistic mixed-species scene. ### Vicuñas You’ll also encounter vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna), a South American camelid species more commonly associated with the Andean highlands. - Vicuñas are adapted to dry environments, using water very efficiently. Avifauna - Their fine wool is among the most valued natural fibres in the world. Avifauna Avifauna reported the birth of a vicuña calf on the Argentijnse Cerrado in September 2025, which added extra activity and social behaviour to the group. Avifauna ### Mara’s (Patagonian mara) The walk-through section centres on mara’s (Dolichotis patagonum), long-legged rodents that resemble a cross between a hare and a small antelope. - Despite appearances, they’re more closely related to guinea pigs. Avifauna - They graze on low vegetation and are often seen lying in the sun when not feeding. Avifauna - Mara pairs are typically monogamous, staying together for life. Avifauna In this exhibit, visitors walk through their zone on a defined path, which gives unfiltered proximity while the animals retain enough space to move away if they choose. Avifauna ### Kuifhoenderkoeten (southern screamers) The kuifhoenderkoet (Chauna torquata) – a large, loud South American bird – also features in the Cerrado: - Adults reach about 90 cm in length but remain relatively light, around 2.5 kg. Avifauna - They naturally favour wetlands and water edges, which aligns with the waterfalls and stream built into the exhibit. Avifauna Their calls can be piercing, especially in breeding season, so don’t be surprised if part of your Cerrado experience is sound, not just sight. ### Black-necked swans In the meandering stream you may see black-necked swans (Cygnus melanocoryphus): - These swans often form long-term pairs and share parenting duties; the male frequently carries the young on his back. Avifauna - When threatened, they can dive to a depth of roughly three metres to escape danger. Avifauna The combination of open water, rock edges and vegetation gives them a more naturalistic setting than a simple pond. Avifauna --- ## Why Travellers Should Care About This Exhibit ### A focused South American experience in the Dutch “Green Heart” Alphen aan den Rijn sits in the Groene Hart – the relatively open, less urbanised centre of the Randstad. Within that setting, Avifauna’s Cerrado offers a distinct way to experience South American landscapes and wildlife without leaving the Netherlands. Instead of a random assortment of animals, you get: - A single coherent biome (South American pampa/savanna) represented with appropriate terrain. Avifauna - Species that naturally overlap in range in South America, not an artificial mix. Avifauna That kind of habitat-based design gives more context than isolated enclosures, which is particularly valuable if you travel with kids or anyone curious about ecology. ### Conservation and animal welfare angle For travellers who pay attention to responsible wildlife experiences: - Giant anteaters are Vulnerable, with populations under pressure from habitat loss and other human impacts. - Avifauna participates in breeding and conservation programmes and collaborates with other institutions on species protection projects, including work on threatened parrots. Zoos The Cerrado exhibit is part of a wider shift towards larger, more naturalistic habitats with mixed species, rather than small cages. As a visitor, you’re not just “looking at animals” but helping financially support a park that invests in more modern exhibit standards and conservation work. --- ## Planning Your Visit (What You Can Reliably Rely On) Here’s what can be stated with confidence and up-to-date support from public sources: - Where it is: The Cerrado is inside Vogelpark Avifauna in Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland, with the park entrance at Hoorn 59. Avifauna - What you’ll find there: A themed South American savanna zone with giant anteaters, Darwin’s rheas, vicuñas, mara’s, kuifhoenderkoeten and black-necked swans, plus waterfalls, a stream and viewing platforms. Avifauna - Park setting: Avifauna is a long-established attraction in Alphen aan den Rijn and one of the key draws for visitors to the city. Zoos Information that changes frequently – such as ticket prices, opening hours, parking fees and any temporary closures – is not included here because it cannot be guaranteed to remain accurate. For those details, it’s safest to consult Avifauna’s official website or current booking partners directly. Avifauna --- ## Inclusivity, Accuracy & What Might Change - Species list: The species mentioned above are confirmed inhabitants of the Argentijnse Cerrado or have been explicitly reported as residents or recent births in 2022–2025. Future additions or transfers are possible, so the line-up may evolve. Avifauna - Conservation status: The Vulnerable status of the giant anteater is based on recent IUCN-aligned sources; that status could change if new assessments are published. - Accessibility and visitor flow: This article doesn’t make claims about specific accessibility features (ramps, quiet zones, etc.) because those are not fully documented in the sources consulted. If accessibility is critical to your trip, confirm with the park before visiting. Within those limits, everything described here is grounded in up-to-date, verifiable information from Avifauna itself and independent coverage of the Argentijnse Cerrado and Alphen aan den Rijn.