Korkeasaari

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Korkeasaari (Swedish: Högholmen) is an island in Helsinki, Finland where the country's biggest zoo is situated. The English name of the zoo is Helsinki Zoo.

Baboons in Korkeasaari

Bear cache in Korkeasaari

Snowy Owl in Korkeasaari

Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Korkeasaari

The zoo is located on a 22 hectare rocky island. It's connected to mainland via a bridge to Mustikkamaa, where there is access to the zoo all year round. A ferry and water buses take visitors to the island summertime from Kauppatori and Hakaniemi.

Korkeasaari is one of the most popular places among visitors in Helsinki. The animals on display are divided geographically to Amazonia, Africasia and Borealia. Animal species number to about two hundred, and plant species to a thousand.

[edit] History

Korkeasaari has been a recreational park for Helsinki people long before the zoo was founded - since 1569. It was first used as pasture and for fishing. In 19th century it was used for storing timber. During Crimean war the island was a military area. Helsinki city got it back 1864 and then the recreational use really started: steam boat traffic was started, and a restaurant and facilities for dancing, bowling and picnic were provided.

The zoo was started 1889.

[edit] Collection

As in all zoos, the main collection is made of mammals and birds, but even reptiles, fish and invertebrates are on display. (The Amazonia building has an aquarium department.) No big mammals (elephants, giraffes, hippopotamus) are on display, as all warm climate animals must be indoors for wintertime. The collection of big cats is quite good, and the snow leopards born in Korkeasaari are famous.

Two or three times a year the zoo organizes night walks, when visitors can see the big cats and other nocturnal animals in their natural waking hours.