Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua is the northernmost zoo in Finland, a long boardwalk winding through genuine Lapland forest past enclosures of Arctic and northern animals: polar bears, brown bears, wolverines, lynx, musk oxen and reindeer, kept in the climate they belong to. Seeing a polar bear in falling snow is its signature.

Background

The park opened in Ranua municipality in 1983 and is part of Ranua Resort, also known as Ranua Zoo. It keeps approximately 50 arctic animal species and 150 individual animals, among them wolves, European moose and deer as well as lynx and brown bears. Its polar bears are the only ones in Finland. It is accredited by EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The resort around it adds accommodation, a restaurant, snowmobiling and husky safaris, and it is open every day of the year.

Source: Wikipedia, "Ranua Resort"

What's there

• The polar bears - the zoo's stars, in a large forest enclosure.
• Wolverines and lynx - the elusive predators of the north.
• Musk oxen and reindeer - the large grazers of the Arctic.
• The forest boardwalk - the long raised path linking the enclosures.

When to go

Winter for the Arctic animals in their element and the snowy atmosphere; summer for active animals and easier walking. It works year-round given the northern species.

What to expect

It is a real zoo with the questions that raises, though it focuses on cold-climate species suited to the place. The long boardwalk means a fair walk in whatever weather, so dress for it. It is out in the countryside, an hour from Rovaniemi.

Nearby

Rovaniemi and the Santa village are about an hour north; the Lapland forests spread around.

Key facts