Tallinn Zoo

Tallinn Zoo is the only zoo in Estonia and is owned by the city of Tallinn. It is located in the Veskimetsa area of the Haabersti district.

The zoo is home to many rare animals such as the white stork, Chinese alligator, Amur tiger, black rhinoceros, snow leopard, milu, and gaur. Tallinn Zoo is involved in several conservation projects, including those focused on the European mink and Amur leopard.

Since 24 October 2016, the zoo has been directed by Tiit Maran.

The idea of establishing a zoological-botanical park, open-air museum, and amusement park was discussed on 24 November 1937 under the leadership of Peeter Päts. In 1938, the site near Järve station proposed by the city was deemed unsuitable. Land was also sought in Pärnu, and the nature protection inspector Gustav Vilbaste visited the site.

On 23 June 1939, during the Estonian Games, a “Wildlife Exhibition” was opened, with a bear cub from the Alutaguse forest as its first exhibit.

On 25 August 1939, the Estonian Animal Protection Society opened the Kadriorg Mini-Zoo as part of a planned national horticulture exhibition. This date is now considered the official founding of Tallinn Zoo. The exhibits included lynx, dingoes, porcupines, lions, guinea pigs, rabbits, owls, polar and brown bears, red and blue foxes, monkeys, and ponies. Over 100,000 visitors came that year. Admission was 5 cents for children, 10 for students and soldiers, and 25 for adults.

The zoo’s first official animal was a lynx named Illu, gifted in 1937 by Estonia’s world champion shooting team. Illu is featured in the zoo’s logo.

During WWII, many animals were donated by departing Baltic Germans, especially birds like parrots and peacocks. In 1940, the zoo had lions, lion cubs, brown bears, and polar bears named Truuta and Moorits.

The zoo was originally located in Kadriorg Park, but in 1983 it was moved to a larger 89-hectare site in Veskimetsa, a former military storage area. Construction of new buildings was delayed due to a Soviet-era 10-year moratorium on building cultural and sports facilities after the Moscow Olympics. The house for large mammals was completed in 1989, the tropical house in 1999, and its east wing in 2005.

Today, construction progresses slowly and relies on donations from companies and individuals. Not all animals are shown to visitors — some are kept hidden for conservation and research purposes.

The zoo’s European mink lab has bred over 100 individuals for decades. They are kept in special, hidden conditions to ensure the survival of this critically endangered species. Carefully selected males and females are paired each spring, and after a 42-day pregnancy, females give birth to litters of about four kits. These minks carry the genetic diversity needed to sustain the species and are sometimes released into the wild in Hiiumaa. International research continues to explore the hidden life of this elusive animal.