Korkeasaari Zoo (Finnish : Korkeasaaaren Eläintarha, formerly known as Helsinki Zoo) is the largest zoo in Finland, located on the island of Korkeasaaari in Helsinki. The zoo was first opened in 1889 and the first ordinary animals from Finland were presented there.
Korkeasaari Zoo is one of the most popular places for visitors in Helsinki. In summer ferries and water buses take visitors to the zoo, from Market Square and Hakaniemi. The zoo is also connected to the mainland by a bridge to Helsinki's Mustickamaa district, where you can access the zoo all year round.
Korkeasaari Zoo works with other modern zoos to maintain a healthy and viable population of the zoo with the European Endangered Species Program . Korkeasaari Zoo has a European pedigree book for authors . Corkeasaari Zoo is raising funds for many conservation projects, such as "Night of cats" for Amur leopards and Amur tigers. The Zoo is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Korkeasaari Zoo also has a wildlife hospital for injured and orphaned wild animals.
There are about 150 animal species and about a thousand plant species. The main collection consists of mammals and birds, but there are even reptiles, fish and invertebrates. The collection was chosen so that animals in the open air could comfortably live in Finland's climate. This means that many charismatic megafaunas are missing, especially elephants, rhinos and hippos. Korkeasaari Zoo has two tropical buildings: Amazonia and Africa.