FAQ

Pets are not allowed in Korkeasaari Zoo. The zoo is a quarantine area, and all animal traffic to and from the island is controlled to prevent the spread of animal diseases. This restriction also applies to guide dogs and assistance dogs due to quarantine regulations.

If you need someone to look after your dog during your visit, you can contact the 4H association’s dogsitters in the Helsinki region.

Unfortunately, there are currently no storage facilities or lockers at Korkeasaari, and we cannot store belongings at the ticket office. When the zoo’s new entrance building is completed at the end of 2025, lockers will be available for visitors.

There are free lockers at the Redi shopping centre, about a 10–15-minute walk from Korkeasaari. Redi also has parking facilities and is home to the metro station closest to the zoo.

During the summer season, small strollers for one child are available at Korkeasaari. They cannot be reserved in advance, and availability is limited, so on busy days they may temporarily run out. We recommend bringing your own stroller if it is essential for your child’s comfort.

Wagons and wheelchairs are currently not available for rent at Korkeasaari.

Most of Korkeasaari’s areas and facilities are accessible or nearly so. The terrain is naturally hilly, but almost all paths are paved and well-cleared in winter. While there are some stairs, animals can also be viewed without needing to use them.

Korkeasaari is a quarantine area, so guide and assistance dogs are not allowed. 

Korkeasaari follows the City of Helsinki’s smoke-free policy. Smoking is only permitted at three designated points on the island: by Karhulinna beach, next to Restaurant Pukki, and at the boat dock – these are marked on maps.

You can pay for your own admission ticket or annual pass at Korkeasaari’s ticket office using Smartum mobile payment or vouchers, ePassi mobile payment, or Edenred mobile payment. These benefits are personal, so you may only buy tickets or an annual pass for yourself.

Payments should be made at the ticket office, not in advance, as mobile payments are only valid for 15 minutes after confirmation. Cultural vouchers cannot be used in the online store.

Korkeasaari is not included in the Museum Card program. Both zoos and natural history museums conduct research supporting species conservation and showcase biodiversity. Korkeasaari collaborates with the Finnish Museum of Natural History, and some animals in the museum’s exhibition are former residents of Korkeasaari.

Contact the Korkeasaari ticket office. We can check your pass validity based on your personal details and issue you a new one.

Group discounts are available for pre-arranged groups of at least 10 people. The payment is made as a single transaction, for example by card or invoice. There is separate pricing for school and early childhood education groups.

There is currently no discount for unemployed visitors. Outside the summer season, there are designated free entry days, which are announced separately.

Press card holders do not receive a discount on tickets. However, accredited media representatives may enter for free if their visit has been arranged in advance.

A personal assistant arriving with the person they assist can enter Korkeasaari free of charge. The assistant’s ticket is available at the ticket office.

Korkeasaari is part of the Finnish Disability Card and Friend Card programs.

There is no longer a discount for employees of the city of Helsinki.

Employees of member organizations of the Finnish Zoo Association (e.g., Ranua Wildlife Park, Ähtäri Zoo, Sea Life Helsinki), the Swedish Zoo Association, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and other agreed partners (e.g., Linnanmäki, Särkänniemi) are entitled to free admission.

Be prepared to show proof of employment, such as a staff ID, or arrange the visit in advance via your supervisor. Check the current terms of the benefit, especially regarding special events.

There are two restaurants at Korkeasaari: Karhu Restaurant near the old Karhulinna and the villa-style Pukki Restaurant in the center of the island. At least one of them is open year-round whenever the zoo is open.

In the summer season, kiosks and food stalls also operate around the zoo.

Additionally, Bistro Bro, next to the ticket office in Mustikkamaa, serves both zoo visitors and general outdoor visitors year-round.

Catering services are provided by Marcante Oy.

Microwave ovens are available in the picnic areas at Karhulinna and the Amazonia House lobby. The restaurants also have microwaves for warming baby food.

If you find a fault in a product purchased from the Korkeasaari shop, please report it as soon as possible to: shop@korkeasaari.fi

There is no ATM on the island. The closest ATMs are in the Redi shopping centre (about a 15-minute walk from the ticket office) and at the Alepa store in Kulosaari.

There are several water points throughout the zoo where you can refill your bottle.

The bridge between Mustikkamaa and Korkeasaari has been under renovation since 7 August 2025 and is out of use. During the renovation period, access by land is via Nihti using the Finkensilta bridge. There is a temporary ticket sales point at the Nihti end of the Finkensilta.

Tram number 13 runs between Pasila and Nihti via Kalasatama, and brings you within walking distance of Korkeasaari. When the Crown Bridges (Kruunusillat) are completed, there will also be tram access from Hakaniemi and Kruunuvuorenranta.

Bicycles, scooters, sleds, and push sleds are allowed only for preschool‑age children; all others must walk inside the zoo.

Some events (such as Night of the Cats) may not permit even the small children’s wheeled vehicles due to crowding.

Unfortunately, there are currently no storage facilities or lockers at Korkeasaari, so we cannot store electric bikes or scooters, or their batteries. You can leave your electric vehicle at the bike rack by the ticket office at your own risk.

No, landing your own boat on Korkeasaari is not allowed. The closest guest marinas maintained by the City of Helsinki are in Katajanokka and Tervasaari.

Korkeasaari does not have its own parking area. If you arrive by car, it’s best to head for the parking garage at Redi in Kalasatama. Parking in the garage is paid. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Redi to the zoo ticket office, and the route is marked by “turtle statue” signs.

There is also a public, mostly time-limited parking lot with both free and with-fee parking places near Mustikkamaa sports park. On busy days, it may fill up, as there is a limited amount of parking spaces. Parking along Mustikkamaa’s trails or service roads is prohibited as it may block buses or emergency vehicles.

Feeding times vary by species and their needs. Many animals are fed during enclosure cleaning before the zoo opens.

Some animals are fed several times per day; for example, herbivores often get breakfast and afternoon feeding. Some species have feeding machines which dispense food at regular intervals.

Big cats in the Cat Valley do not eat every day; fasting days are part of their natural feeding rhythm.

Some tropical house animals might eat only once a week or even less frequently — for instance, snakes sometimes feed only once a month!

We schedule feedings, where possible, as part of the day’s program so visitors can follow along. Often, a guide is present to explain the species and their behaviors.

Because animals choose their own behavior, exact visibility cannot be predicted. Having places to hide is important for their welfare, so enclosures are designed so the animals can retreat when they wish.

Animals are masters of camouflage and may spend time where they’re hard to spot. It’s good to take your time and observe the enclosures slowly.

Animals are most likely to be active and visible during feeding times. Many species are fed before the zoo opens, so arriving early (e.g. at 10:00) may give a chance to see morning feedings.

Many species are more active in cooler weather than in heat. For example, in July, animals in Cat Valley may be very sleepy in midday heat, but more active in the cooler morning and evening hours.

Tropical‑house small monkeys often retreat to sleep in the afternoon — in winter around 4 pm, in summer a bit later.

Korkeasaari aims to house species capable of living year-round in Finland’s climate or in controlled tropical house conditions. Therefore, nearly all species are visible during the winter season.

Animals typically come to Korkeasaari from other conservation‑involved zoos. Animals are not bought or sold, but moved as part of international conservation programs. Even animals born in Korkeasaari may later move to other zoos if the species coordinator deems another location more suitable.

Some animals in Korkeasaari are former abandoned or confiscated pets. The zoo provides them with habitat suited to their species, which may not have been possible in private homes.

Some animals arrive via the zoo’s Wildlife Hospital. Not all wild‑caught animals can be rehabilitated and released. If an animal recovers but cannot return to the wild due to disability or missing survival skills, it may remain at the zoo with proper permission and care.

As a rule, Korkeasaari does not accept pets such as tortoises, snakes, or parrots as donations. We have limited capacity, and we focus on endangered species per our species management plans.

If you’re giving up an exotic pet, you may consider asking placement via specialist networks:

Korkeasaari cannot offer or sell feathers, horns, fur, or other animal parts, because the zoo is a quarantine area and such material presents a disease risk. Even feathers found in the grounds may not be removed from the zoo.

Because international wildlife trade is often illegal, Korkeasaari does not sell or purchase animals or animal parts in any circumstance — this ensures we never support illegal trade.

Many of Korkeasaari’s residents have names. Keepers name animals such that each year’s names start with a certain letter. Names help in individual recognition and everyday conversation. However, not all animals — for example, numerous insects — receive individual names.

Some animal names are available on the species’ presentation pages!

Although the animals are accustomed to people, they are not tame and may act unpredictably: biting, kicking, pushing, or scratching. For that reason, animals must not be touched.

Some events include insect touch tables where guided handling of roaches is permitted.

Only keepers may feed the animals! Inappropriate feeding could harm or be fatal to them!

Large mammal species in Korkeasaari are chosen with respect to the Finnish climate so they can live outdoors year-round. Therefore, large African mammals such as giraffes, hippos, or elephants are not housed at Korkeasaari.

Although polar bears have been in Korkeasaari in the past and the climate is suitable, there is currently no suitable enclosure for them.

If you find an animal in the wild, first check whether it really needs assistance. For instance, small baby squirrels, young gulls, and lonely rabbit leverets rarely need help. The Wildlife Hospital staff can advise you if necessary.

The Wildlife Hospital accepts wild animals in need during zoo opening hours; patients may be brought to the zoo ticket office.

Approximately 40 % of animal patients are rehabilitated each year and returned to the wild. To be released, the animal must be able to survive independently (e.g. acquire food and avoid humans). The release location is selected species‑ and individual‑specifically: for example, former home range, better habitat, or resting area for conspecifics.

Not all animals survive despite treatment, or may arrive too ill. In such cases, humane euthanasia may be the best option. Deceased animals are forwarded to the Finnish Museum of Natural History or the University of Helsinki for research and educational use. Some bird carcasses are also used in volunteer oil spill training.

In exceptional cases, an animal that does not recover sufficiently may stay at the zoo (with permission) if it is not suffering and suitable habitat is available.

The Wildlife Hospital is closed to visitors for the welfare of the patients. Zoo‑reared animals are accustomed to humans, but hospital patients are wild animals for whom human contact causes stress. Their interaction with humans is kept to a minimum.

We also avoid habituating them to humans, as that reduces their survival chances in the wild.

The zoo is maintained by the Korkeasaari Zoo Foundation. The foundation is non‑profit and operates within the City of Helsinki group.

The decision‑making body is the board, and the zoo is managed by a CEO.

The foundation runs the zoo without a profit motive. Most of the expenses are covered by ticket revenues. The City of Helsinki also supports the foundation through operational subsidies.

The State does not support the zoo’s operations. However, Korkeasaari receives official grants from the Ministry of the Environment for Wildlife Hospital operations (i.e. care of wild animals). In addition, many private individuals support the hospital by donation.

About half a million visitors come to Korkeasaari each year.

The zoo is open year-round, though summer is its busiest time: July is traditionally the peak month. Winter is quieter.

We publish visitor statistics by year, month, and day online.

Korkeasaari Zoo’s employees represent more than 30 job titles. Animal keepers are the largest group, but there are also professionals in customer service, environmental education, marketing communications, facility maintenance, landscaping, IT, and finance.

There are several paths: agricultural basic degree, animal care training program, or vocational qualification in animal care. Apprenticeship students may complete the animal keeper qualification via competency‑based assessments.

In some vocational institutions, the agricultural basic qualification allows selecting an animal care track. This qualification is 120 credits and takes three years. Applicants apply through national secondary education admissions. General entry requirement is completion of basic education, and those with upper secondary or matriculation may also apply.

Some institutions offer vocational training for animal keeper qualification (preparation). These programs can be applied to via the institution’s own form or free form application. Entry requirements and application periods vary; sometimes relevant work experience is required.