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About the zoo |
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Elistvere Zoo is located in beautiful Vooremaa, on Lake Elistvere in
Tabivere Parish, Jõgeva County. Elistvere was first mentioned in 1355.
In the mid-19th century Elistvere Manor was one of the most
impressive and largest in Vooremaa, and had 28 buildings with different
"uses. The baroque storehouse and some outbuildings have survived to the
present day. The manor's Classical main building, the exterior of which
was architecturally reminiscent of Tartu City Hall, was demolished in
1931.
Elistvere Manor's park was created at the end of the 18th and
the beginning of the 19th centuries. At that time it was among the ten
most attractive rural parks in Estonia. The English-style park included
a baroque garden to the northeast of the main building and the
surrounding landscape with its drumlins and takes.
The Wrangels, Stackelbergs and the Ungern-Sternbergs are the
most famous families whose members have been lords of Elistvere Manor.
The zoo, which is unique in Estonia, was opened on 27 August
1997, with the objective of creating an opportunity for visitors to
become acquainted with animal species presently and formerly native to
Estonia. An additional task is to provide a place for the treatment of
injured wild animals and for the housing and care of motherless young
animals. Animals that have recovered and are once again able to manage
on their own are returned to nature. A bear, lynxes, foxes, raccoon
dogs, roe deers, moose, wild boar and other animals live at the park in
near-natural conditions. In 2000 they were joined by the animals of the
Rodent Research Centre: mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, degus and
other rodents. The hall of the park's main building contains a permanent
exhibit "Nature in pictures and words" and materials on the history of
Elistvere.
With the support of REC Estonia, a nature walk was
constructed in the western part of the park, where one can acquaint
oneself with the park's component elements and several plant species.
One can admire old-growth linden trees, which are among the largest
specimens of that species in Estonia. The nature walk traverses the
historical park paths.
In 2001 a "bird walk" with accompanying observation platform
was completed with the support of the State Forest Management Centre.
Here one can acquaint oneself with many of our wild animal and plant
species, listen to birdsong and observe aquatic birds on the lake. Along
the "bird walk" there, are information boards introducing the plants,
the park's history and several natural sights.
At present the zoo's gardens occupy a 15 ha area, although in
future it is planned for these to be expanded to 50 hectares. Over fifty
thousand tourists per year visit the zoo, 85% of whom are children.
Elistvere is a pleasant place to visit at any time of year.
In summer it is possible to stay here in tents. In winter, children can
discover Yule-land.
Source: official printed materials of Elistvere Zoo (cca 2004)
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