The snow leopard with capital letters ZOO is the symbol of the Helsinki Zoo. Korkeasaari is one of the oldest and most northerly in the Old World and its history began in 1889, when the first inhabitants, brown bears and falcons, were brought here by Lieutenant August Fabricius. It took the new zoo only a year to turn into an interesting object for recreation and observation of wild animals - there were already about a hundred of them in the early 90s of the nineteenth century.
Pride and achievement
The first snow leopards appeared in Korkeasaari more than a hundred years ago, and since then this endangered species of wild cats has had a chance to stay on the planet. Scientists at the Helsinki Zoo are doing a great job of preserving and restoring the population of predators and today they can be proud of the results of their work. More than 140 snow leopards were born in a zoo called Korkeasaari, and almost all of the beautiful cats of this species living in zoological gardens in other countries are natives of Helsinki.
In the 60s of the last century, Finnish scientists joined the program for the conservation of the Amur leopards and the first spotted beauties were registered in Korkeasaari. In 2014, the management also thought about purchasing a giant panda, so visitors have every chance to see a living symbol of WWF - the World Wildlife Fund.
ZOO Korkeasaari
One of the favorite vacation spots for Helsinki residents and guests of the Finnish capital is located on the island of the same name in the city center. The address of the zoo in the navigator is Mustikkamaanpolku 12, Helsinki.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to the zoo is by bus route 16 from the Central Railway Station of the Finnish capital from platform 8. The journey takes just over 20 minutes. The second way is by ferries from the Kauppatori market square or from Hakaniemi. This method is relevant only in the warm season from May 1 to the end of September.
The parking lot near the park has a limited number of parking spaces, and therefore the administration recommends using public transport to visit it.
Useful information
Helsinki Zoo opening hours:
- From October 1 to March 31 - from 10.00 to 16.00.
- All April and September - from 10.00 to 18.00.
- From May 1 to August 31 - from 10.00 to 20.00.
A special timetable for the days of September 4th and 11th, when the "Big Cat Nights" takes place in Korkeasaari. On these days, the zoo is open from 4 pm to midnight and visitors can watch the predators during their night walks.
Ticket price:
- Adult - 12 euros.
- Children from 4 to 17 years old - 6 euros.
- Students and senior visitors - 8 euros.
- Family of two adults and three children - 36 euros.
Kids under 4 years old enjoy free admission. To receive benefits, you will have to present documents with a photo certifying age or social status.
October 14 is declared the day of free admission.
Services and contacts
Official website of the Helsinki Zoo - www.korkeasaari.fi
For more information call +358 (09) 310 37 409.
Zoo in Helsinki
