Season’s greetings from Ranua

20.12.2024 – Source: Ranua Wildlife Park

Home to over 50 species & over 200 animals, who live in spacious pens in the midst of a northern conifer forest, the natural habitat of most of the species here, Ranua Wildlife Park is the most northerly zoo in the world and is open every day of the year.

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Did you know that the lynx and a domestic cat have many similarities?

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Both are active at dusk and night, prowl carefully for their prey and are extremely tidy. The lynx even purrs like a cat, though their purr matches the size of their figure indeed 😀

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Even an invasive species like this manages to thrive in Finland’s conditions. The spread of wild boars further north depends on the availability of food during winter. As omnivores, they can relatively easily find food, but a thick snow cover forces these snouted creatures to move toward areas with less snow. The range extends from Oulu to North Karelia, although some sightings have also been reported in Lapland.

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This winter, during your visit at the Ranua Wildlife Park, you’ll have the opportunity to watch the feedings and listen animal talks. Programs are held on weekdays from December 2, 2024, to January 3, 2025, and from January 27 to March 14, 2025. A weekly schedule will be published on our website every Friday.

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Even the birdies are waiting for the catering staff. 🙂

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Programs may include exciting moments watching the animal keeper at work with the large predators, fascinating stories of polar bears’ life or a chance to follow the feeding of our our playful arctic fox siblings.

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What a beautiful fox!

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Did you know, that the male musk deer grow long, protruding canine teeth that can be up to 10 cm long. These teeth replace the antlers, which never develop in the species, and serve as both a defense mechanism and a tool in territorial battles.

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This wolverine loves the snow ….

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…. and so does the beaver.

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Venus was celebrated on her birthday.

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The charming polar bear lady is doing fine and enjoying the Winter time.

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6 Comments

  1. Die winterlichen Fotogrüße aus dem Ranua Wildlife-Park sind etwas ganz besonderes!! Auch Venus die ihren 20
    Geburtstag feiern konnte genießt ihr Element den Schnee…❄❄🐻‍❄️❄❄👌
    “Weiße Weihnachten”, das wäre schön…🌟❄🌟❄🌲

  2. Dear Mervi,

    Thank you very much for your detailed descriptions of the animal inhabitants in Ranua.
    Yes, a white Christmas is a certainty there and all the animals cope well because the far north is their home.
    Congratulations to Venus on her 20th birthday with lots of treats!

    Best wishes
    Britta-Gudrun

  3. Dear Mervi!
    Thank you for the winter impressions of beautiful and relaxed animals from Ranua, who love winter and are well prepared for it. This is their time and they enjoy it! It’s good to see them like this and to know that they are doing well, especially today…
    I congratulate the wonderful Venus on her birthday and hope that she has many more years in good health – maybe even in company…!

    Hugs
    Anke

  4. Dankeschön für den wunderbaren Bericht.

    Der Zoo Ranua ist großartig und ich hoffe, dass Venus eine ältere Bärin als Freundin und Beschäftigung bekommt. Ich hätte mir für sie Friida gewünscht aber vielleicht gibt es auch eine andere Option. Wenn ein zweiter Eisbär kommt, fahre ich wieder nach Ranua.

    Ich wünsche Euch einen schönen 4. Advent.
    Grüße Jens

  5. Thank you for sharing this report with gorgeous photos of this magnificant wildlife park, RANUA, in your home-country FINLAND, dear Mervi.

    Wie schön auch, dass Lady VENUS, die einzige dort verbliebene Eisbärin, erwähnt und honoriert wird!

    Danke

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