We care for the environment

For us, sustainability is an important factor in all of our activities and we strive to make environmentally sustainable choices in our accommodation services, cleaning, restaurants, animal park, souvenir shop, our own offices and all our purchases.

We also want to encourage our guests to make sustainable choices, e.g. enabling sorting of waste and using durable containers instead of disposable containers.

The basic functions of a wildlife park include protecting biodiversity through various means. These means include participating in various conservation programs, maintaining animal populations of appropriate size and genetically diverse enough in cooperation with other zoos and wildlife parks, environmental education, and participating in information sharing and research together with other zoos and institutions. In addition, we participate in restoration projects and caring for wild animals in need when it is possible and appropriate.

Ecocompass

We chose the EcoCompass Environmental Management System as a tool for our environmental and sustainability work. With this, we can monitor that we are making environmental decisions that are meaningful. These actions have clear goals and measures, schedules and follow-ups that have been set.

For us, environmental responsibility means concrete actions in our own operations. We are committed to saving natural resources and increasing the positive impact on the environment. As a proof of this, we have been awarded the EcoCompass Certificate.

In the future, we will maintain our environmental work by reporting and developing goals annually. The EcoCompass also includes a regular audit where we look at the achievement of our goals.

The EcoCompass program contains 10 criteria to which we are committed. These criteria include mapping the environmental effects of the operation and drawing up a target-oriented action plan. With these, our environmental work is open, visible, systematic and continuous.

Sustainable travel Finland

Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme (STF) helps travel professionals make more sustainable choices when creating travel itineraries to Finland. Thus, if you’re looking for more sustainable options, look no further.

We are committed to the Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme.  The programme is designed for tourism companies and destinations in Finland to systematically adapt sustainable practices.

Companies and destinations that undergo the entire programme are recognized with the Sustainable Travel Finland label. The label is a definitive symbol of commitment towards sustainable practices and principles.

The STF label takes into account the economic, ecological, social and cultural sustainability of tourism companies and destinations.

We have completed the program and met all the criteria, and have been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label.

How to get here

Ähtäri Zoo’s exact address is Karhunkierros 150, 63920 Ähtäri

By car

Once you are close to Ähtäri, you can find the Zoo following the road signs. There are two parking areas, from which P1 is closer to the entrance and P2 is within a 10min walking distance. Parking is for free. There are several accessible parking spaces right next to the entrance on P1 for those in need.

By train

Ähtäri Zoo has its own train stop. The stop is close to P2 area, so it is within a 10-15min walking distance from the Zoo entrance. You can check the schedule and buy train tickets from the Finnish Railway company VR.