The Zoo in Winter

A few photos of the Korkeasaari Zoo in Winter

I hadn't ever visited the Helsinki Zoo and it seemed like a perfectly good excuse to get out of the house on a recent sunny and [relatively] warm Sunday. The ferry from downtown to the island doesn't run during the winter so we walked from the Kulosaari metro station which made for an enjoyable walk. I really don't like zoos very much as it's much like visiting a prison, but in recent years I have come to realise that zoos are becoming some of the last protected habitat for many of the remaining species of animals on the planet.

Korkeasaari is a small zoo with a good variety of animals without being overdone. Most of the animals seemed contented if a bit bored. Africasia and Amazonia house a number of animals who wouldn't likely choose to live in the cold Finnish climate. After a little while in there it was hard to go back out into the bright, cold afternoon. The island itself has a gorgeous view of downtown Helsinki at sunset, too. During the summertime it is likely too crowded with people, but it was almost deserted on a sunny winter's day.

17 Mar 2004 at 22:32, Helsinki