Obituary Willem-jan Kitslaar

July 13th 1977 - June 16th 2021.

On June 16th, after an uneven and debilitating battle against cancer, the zoo world lost Willem-jan Kitslaar at the young age of 43. Willem-jan was not only a brilliant zoo veterinarian, but also one of those few extraordinary souls who carry the gift of being instantly loved by any person they meet.

Willem-jan, after finishing his veterinary degree at Utrecht university in 2007, started his veterinary career as a teacher and clinician at the vet faculty’s teaching hospital for exotic animals. He then continued towards starting a residency in small mammals (ECZM) which he did not finish through no fault of his own.

A teacher at heart, Willem-jan patiently explained all aspects of exotic animal medicine to countless students, keepers and even the general public as he starred in television series. 

After a few years in private exotics practice and substitute work at various Dutch zoos (Wildlands/Emmen Zoo, Rotterdam Zoo, Ouwehands Zoo), Willem-jan made his long-term dream come true by becoming the veterinarian at Amersfoort Zoo in 2017, and also at Apenheul Zoo in 2020. He took great pride in bringing the veterinary care at both parks up to standard, working together with specialists and using his amazing people skills to equip his two zoo practices with the best equipment (which he would usually manage to receive as donations!). He had a big heart for “his” animals, working tirelessly even when really he could no longer, as well as for his colleagues and his many friends. 

Willem-jans friendships were unconditional. His “trademark” curly hair and his charisma, his warm energy, his charms, his positivity, his sense of humour, his accessibility and his strong motivation for doing things right meant that he touched the hearts of many, many people. He will be sorely missed, and those who knew him can at the same time be very thankful to have had him in their lives.

Job Stumpel

21 June 2021