Korkeasaari Zoo ( Finnish : Korkeasaaren eläintarha ), also known as Helsinki Zoo , is the largest zoo in Finland , located in Helsinki . The zoo was first opened in 1889. Today it is operated by a nonprofit foundation.
10-732: The zoo is among the most popular places among visitors in Helsinki. A ferry and water buses take visitors to the island of Korkeasaari , where the Zoo is located, during summertime from the Market Square . The zoo is also connected to the mainland via a bridge to the Helsinki district of Mustikkamaa , where there is access to the zoo all year round. Korkeasaari Zoo is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The zoo works with other modern zoos to maintain
20-553: A healthy and viable zoo population with EAZA Ex-situ Programme and takes part in reintroduction programmes. Korkeasaari Zoo holds the European studbook for markhors , European forest reindeers and snowy owls and works as their conservation coordinator. The zoo is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature . Korkeasaari Zoo holds fundraisings for many conservation projects, such as
30-579: Is a central square in Helsinki , Finland . It is located in central Helsinki, at the eastern end of Esplanadi and bordering the Baltic Sea to the south and Katajanokka to the east. HSL maintains a year-round ferry link from Market Square to Suomenlinna , and in the summer there are also private companies providing ferry cruises, both to Suomenlinna and to other nearby islands. The Presidential Palace , Helsinki City Hall , Swedish Embassy and
40-532: Is an island in Helsinki . The literal meaning of Korkeasaari is "Tall Island/Islet". It is part of the Mustikkamaa–Korkeasaari district. Korkeasaari Zoo is located on the island and named after it. The island of Korkeasaari is a 22-hectare (54-acre) rocky island. Two smaller islands are located next to it: Hylkysaari and Palosaari . A sacrificial stone from the Bronze Age has been found on
50-714: The Night of Cats for the Amur leopards and Amur tigers , and Lux Korkeasaari for snow leopards . The zoo operates a Wildlife Hospital for injured and orphaned wild animals. It also runs a nature school for children. There are about 150 animal species in Korkeasaari Zoo, including mainly European or Asian species such as the Amur tiger , snow leopard , Przewalski's horse , Barbary macaque , snowy owl , bearded vulture and European otter . The collection has been selected so that outdoor animals can comfortably live in
60-546: The Stora Enso Headquarters building (designed by Alvar Aalto ) are all located adjacent to Market Square. From spring to autumn, the Market Square is active with vendors selling fresh Finnish food and souvenirs . There are also many outdoor cafés at the square. Some cafés also provide meat pastries ( Finnish : lihapiirakka ). The height of the square's popularity is in early October, when
70-480: The climate of Finland : this means that many charismatic megafauna are absent. Korkeasaari Zoo has two tropical buildings, Amazonia and Africasia, which include tropical species of small mammals , amphibians , snakes , birds , fish and insects . Hamadryas baboons were housed in the zoo from the 1960s to 2013. They were replaced by Barbary macaques which are better suited for cold climate. Korkeasaari Korkeasaari ( Swedish : Högholmen )
80-539: The island. It is the first one found in the Helsinki area. Korkeasaari has been in recreational use for people living in Helsinki for a long time. Locals used it for fishing and for herding. After the Crimean War a steam boat started operating to the island, and the island became a popular place to spend time. Korkeasaari was rented to Helsingin Anniskeluyhtiö in 1883, and the company started renovating
90-404: The island. Roads were built and city gardener L. A. Jernström planned planting areas to the island. A restaurant designed by Theodor Höijer was built in 1884, and it is still located on the island and used as a restaurant. In 1889 Korkeasaari Zoo was established and located to the island. In 1972, a bridge was built to connect Korkeasaari to the mainland via Mustikkamaa . Before that, a ferry
100-493: Was the only option to arrive to the island. A ferry still operates to Korkeasaari from the Market Square during the summer. In August 2016, planning of the Crown Bridges bridges started. They will connect Korkeasaari to Hakaniemi and Kruunuvuorenranta , and also bring a Helsinki tram network connection to the island. Market Square, Helsinki The Market Square (Finnish: Kauppatori , Swedish: Salutorget )
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