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About the zoo |
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Like in most countries that gained independence after World War I, in
Estonia the cultural and economic development enabled the establishment
of a zoological garden only shortly before World War II. Tallinn Zoo was
founded on 25 August 1939. The main responsibility for the preparations
of this event lay with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals and the Department of Tourism and Nature Preservation.
Two years before, in 1937, a team of Estonian marksmen had
won the World Champion title in Helsinki. With the so-called Argentine
Cup they had brought along another trophy – a young lynx Illu. Illu
became our first exhibit and later the lynx was chosen our emblem
animal. Initially it was decided to develop our collection and gain
experience in a provisory area on the edge of Kadriorg Park. Afterwards
a more extensive area was to be selected for the proper zoo. When
Estonia was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, the societies and
unions were banned. Tallinn Zoo came under the jurisdiction of Tallinn
City Government and has operated as a municipal institution ever since.
World War II interrupted the plans and the zoo could move to its new
area of ca 87 hectares in Veskimetsa district only 44 years later, in
1983.
At first, the zoo had to cope with temporary buildings
adapted from old military warehouses. Due to the 10-year-long
prohibition on building cultural and sports structures in the Soviet
Union after the Olympic Games in Moscow, the construction of proper zoo
buildings could be initiated only subsequent to Estonia’s
re-independence. In view of the extent of our territory and the
financial opportunities of the city, the establishment of proper zoo
facilities takes a lot of time. Therefore all the supporters are
welcome. Considering that great part of people in Estonia still cannot
afford travelling abroad, the Tallinn Zoo, being the only zoo in the
country, has already today to give its best as a so-called embassy of
wild animals.
Apparently there is no zoo that could perfectly manage a
collection of too many species. It is unavoidable to have preferences
and to specialise in particular animal groups. Tallinn Zoo holds the
best collection of mountain goats and sheep in the world. We have an
outstanding number of eagles and vultures and a remarkable collection of
owl and crane species. As to other animal groups, the choice is more
modest. However, we can claim without boasting that during our existence
of a bit more than 70 years we have managed to assemble the most
fascinating zoo collection in Northern Europe and achieved significant
success in the reproduction of our nurselings. These achievements owe
directly to the good will and skills of our staff. Other competent
parties have also noted our success. In 1989, earlier than any other zoo
in the Soviet Union, Tallinn Zoo was included to the membership of the
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). A decade earlier, we had
become a support member of the American Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AAZA). Subsequently, we have actively taken part in founding
regional zoo organisations, such as the European Association of Zoos and
Aquaria (EAZA) and the Euro-Asian Regional Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (EARAZA).
Source: official site of
Tallinn Zoo (2011)
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