Event: Finland - Helsinki

Korkeasaari Zoo

When:	Daily
Where:	Korkeasaari Zoo
Costs:	Via Mustikkamaa €5, waterbus €10; 7-16 yrs via Mustikkamaa €3, waterbus €5
Opening Hours:	May-Aug: 10am-8pm Sep: 10am-6pm Oct-Mar: 10am-4pm Apr: 10am-6pm

Korkeasaari (or Helsinki) Zoo, on the tiny island of Korkeasaari, was founded in 1889 and is one of the oldest zoos in the world. About 200 different animal species can be found here, alongside almost 1000 different plant species.

The zoo owes its origin to the days when kindly Russian sailors and intrepid expeditioners brought back exotic birds and animals from their travels. As a result, a home for creatures from the Arctic tundra to the Amazonian rainforest was made. Now the happy family includes furry and non-furry creatures from Mongolia, India, Europe and beyond - even bearded golden vultures have found a new Finnish home.

The zoo is a great place to visit throughout the year (although clearly the Finnish summer is kinder and lighter), as the vast majority of animals don't hibernate. The snow leopard is one of more than 100 rare species that have been born in Korkeasaari, and has since become the icon of the zoo and a symbol of the various conservation projects that it has undertaken.

More recent additions include the big cats (always a favourite, especially with Scandinavians) - lions, tigers and lynxes included. During the month of September the felines can be seen during the evenings, while in March the evenings are offered to owls. If you make it at midday you can catch the feeding of the seals (not Mondays).

This is a great way to escape from the concrete of the city. The island is also equipped with a restaurant, so you can make a day of it!