The zoo in Tallinn is the largest in Europe in area - it occupies 87 hectares of the picturesque forest of Veskimetsa in the vicinity of the capital of Estonia. Despite the northern climatic conditions, the zoo contains animals from almost all latitudes of the world - from Alaska to Australia, in the amount of almost 8, 000 individuals of more than 600 species and subspecies.
Zoo history
The history of the creation of the Tallinn Zoo (Estonian Tallinna Loomaaed) is interesting, the opening of which was planned as early as the 20s of the last century, but only the brilliant victory of the Estonian shooting team at the World Cup in 1937 gave a real start to this project. Together with the cup, the athletes brought an exotic gift from Finnish fans - the young lynx, Illu, which then became the first exhibition copy and mascot of the Tallinn Zoological Garden.
After Estonia entered the USSR in 1940, the zoo was transferred to the municipal authority of the Tallinn City Council. And only after 40 years, the Tallinn Zoo was able to move to Veskimets, where it could develop freely, exploring the vast territory of the forest park.
Zoo in Soviet Tallinn
Tallinn Zoological Park was the first of such institutions in the Soviet Union to become a member of the WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums). However, again, a difficult period sets in in the fate of the zoo, since after the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 in the country almost all 10 years of funding for cultural objects were closed. The menagerie receives new development only in independent Estonia, where the authorities have put a lot of effort and money into introducing the latest equipment and technologies.
Tropical house
The zoo in Tallinn contains a wide variety of animals. Despite the cool Baltic climate, the organizers of the zoo managed to create several exotic heat-loving expositions in which the animals of the savannah and the hot humid jungle feel great.
The exposition "Tropical House" is inhabited by crocodiles, which are adjacent to noble leopards, and several African elephants are walking in an aviary equipped with warm rooms. The hippos feel great in the warm pool, and the audience, long waiting for the appearance of the “graceful” Gloria, enthusiastically meets their ears, a piece of nose and eyes, appearing from under the water. Unlike his distant relative, the rhinoceros always willingly poses in front of the observers of the zoo in Tallinn and receives gorgeous numerous photo shoots.
Inhabitants of African swamps also look vigorous and well-fed - red racemose pigs and warthogs, they do not even care for the Baltic piercing wind, if only the trough with nutritious and tasty food was always full.
All latitudes of the world
The Arctic exposition attracts attention with huge polar bears, against the background of which brown bears familiar to the middle strip seem tousled immature teenagers.
In the zoo you can see animals from all over the world. A large but cocky Asian bull, the Gaur, lives next to the majestic American bison, and a group of funny alpine goats regularly hold high-profile concerts in anticipation of cleaning and lunch, which is always very entertaining for visitors to the zoo.
Planet of the Apes
The zoo in Tallinn is rightfully proud of its monkey nursery. There are several dozen species of primates living here, but one of the very first inhabitants is the Pinot, Betty and Quincy chimpanzees. The oldest male Pino recently turned 30 years old, and the zoo employees, together with visitors, congratulated him on delicious treats and joint painting, which chimpanzees love to do.
The zoo workers with special love and pride talk about their "reasonable" wards. How economically they help to clean the cells, bringing leftover food or broken branches, or are jealous of other employees or visitors if they paid little attention to them. However, despite the touching friendship of people and monkeys, employees never enter their cage, explaining this by the fact that chimpanzees have incredible power and are prone to outbreaks of unmotivated aggression. At such moments, they can easily spoil half of the inventory in the aviary, inflict damage on themselves and other members of the pack, and simply kill a person. An adult male chimpanzee is able to lift weight up to 500 kg, and objects thrown by careless visitors can accurately and with great force throw back at unlucky fans of the show.
In the aviary with marmosets - small South American monkeys, whose growth usually does not exceed 40 cm, a cheerful and noisy atmosphere always reigns. They flicker from branch to branch in their shady pen, paying little attention to the observers outside. Also in the zoo there are dwarf marmosets, which barely reach 15 cm in height. Two pairs of such cute monkeys in 2015 presented the Tallinn Zoo (Tallinn) for the 150th anniversary of the Leningrad Zoo, which was in great need of new individuals for healthy replenishment of the population.
Horned and feathered
The largest groups of animals of the zoo in Tallinn are mountain sheep, tours and goats; more than a thousand individuals are collected there. At the same time, many species of ungulates and horned animals breed successfully, supplying other zoos in the world with livestock.
In addition to animals, a large number of birds were collected in the Tallinn zoo - from exotic pelicans and flamingos to predatory eagles, vultures and owls. A very rare and numerous collection is made of different breeds of storks and cranes, many of which are on the verge of extinction, and the ability to restore their populations only in the forces of such as Tallinn, nurseries.
Tourists reviews
Tourists and bloggers respond very positively to Tallinn Zoo. In addition to rave reviews of rare species of animals, everyone notes the beautiful secluded nature of the forest park, which has a beneficial effect on all visitors, filling their hearts with peace and tranquility. On the territory there are several places for organized picnics, where in silence and surrounded by the unspoiled beauty of the forest you can really relax your body and soul.
Among the shortcomings, the scarcity and unpretentiousness of aviary equipment, which often consists only of concrete walls and floors, is most often mentioned. However, the indescribable positive atmosphere of the zoo still leaves only the most pleasant experience.
Zoo in Tallinn - how to get there
The entrance to the zoo is provided in two gates: to the western gate - from Ehitayate tee, 150 (Ehitajate tee, 150), and to the north - from Paldiski mnt, 145 (Paldiski maantee, 145).
In order not to look for information in an unfamiliar city about where the zoo is located in Tallinn, how to get to it, remember, from the city center you can get to the menagerie by buses No. 21, 22, 41-43, and to the Nurmenuku stop by buses No. No. 10, 28, 46 and 47.
The zoo is open year round seven days a week.
November - February - from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (children's and internal exhibitions - from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), from May to August - from 9 to 21 hours (10-19), in other seasons - from 9 to 19 (10-18).
2 hours before the closing of the zoo, ticket offices stop selling entrance tickets.
