Cologne Zoo Appoints New Director: Marc Damen to Take Office in 2027

(eap) Marc Damen (54) will become the new Director and Chairman of the Executive Board of Cologne Zoo in 2027. The Dutch national, who during his career was, among other roles, head of the zoo in Rotterdam, was unanimously appointed by the Supervisory Board of AG Zoologischer Garten Köln yesterday. He will assume the position on 1 January 2027 and, following a four-week transition period, will take over all duties as Director and Chairman. Damen, who will be responsible for the zoo together with Commercial Director Christopher Landsberg, succeeds Prof. Theo B. Pagel, who will retire at the beginning of next year.

Dr Ralf Unna, Chairman of the Zoo’s Supervisory Board and Head of the Selection Committee, said: “I am pleased that the selection process could be concluded in such an orderly and unified manner […]. We had a very broad and highly qualified pool of applicants, including many international candidates. This demonstrates the great reputation and appeal that Cologne Zoo enjoys far beyond the borders of the region.”

The selection process, deliberately structured in several stages due to the importance of the position for the City of Cologne, lasted almost a year. Marc Damen was ultimately elected unanimously and will receive a five-year contract. The trained zoo technician, who holds a university degree as a graduate engineer, is regarded as a proven zoo expert. During his professional career, he worked, among other roles, as a curator with a special focus on mammals at Burgers Zoo in Arnhem (Netherlands), served as Director of the Dutch zoo association Zodiac, and was Chairman of the Executive Board of Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam Zoo, from 2009 to 2016. In addition, Damen established a specialist consultancy and supported government authorities on issues relating to the keeping of wild animals and general management matters.

“My first visit to Cologne Zoo was in 1988. At that time, the then Director, Prof. Dr Nogge, showed me the new cheetah enclosure. Since then, I have felt a close connection to Cologne Zoo and have visited it almost every year. With great admiration and respect, I have seen how Prof. Pagel and his team have further developed and transformed the zoo – both internally in the field of modern animal husbandry and internationally in nature conservation. In these areas, Cologne Zoo plays a pioneering role worldwide. I am very much looking forward to maintaining and further expanding this role together with all the experts from all areas of the zoo,” Marc Damen said, expressing his anticipation of the future responsibility.

Prof. Theo Pagel commented: “I congratulate Marc, whom I have known since his time in Arnhem and who is an excellent zoo professional. He will be taking over one of Europe’s leading, scientifically managed zoological gardens at Cologne Zoo. I already wish him much enjoyment and success in this wonderful role.”

Before Marc Damen takes up his new position in 2027, several novelties are coming up at Cologne Zoo already this year. These will have a direct impact on the visitor offering: work on the new giraffe facility will be completed and the rainforest house renovated. The introduction of a new ticketing system is also planned. Find out more in our Park Report, which provides, among other aspects, information on current investments in European parks and leisure facilities (to be published in EAP Issue No. 2/2026 on 2 March). ■