07.05.2008 - Free entrance weekend at Elistvere Animal Park 10.10
According to Asta Sarv, the hostess of the Animal Park, Elistvere is currently a home for 53 wild game and 48 rodents, but the weeks to come will definitely add some more. “The first animal babies of this spring have already come to the world – the wild boar couple Possa and Kert have three month-old piglets,” Sarv said. “Deer should give birth to kids any time now, and our squirrel also looks suspiciously heavy around the stomach. The baby squirrels will probably be born next week at the latest.” In addition, one of the seven lynx at the Animal Park will also give birth to kittens any time soon.
Elistvere Animal Park was established ten years ago, and initially, it was meant to be a shelter for animals. Wild animals who needed help were brought there to cure them and keep them in the most natural environment possible. Similar nature parks in Germany, Sweden and other European countries were set as an example. At Elistvere Animal Park, elk, brown bear, bison, wild deer, fallow deer, wild boar, lynx, fox, raccoon dog, pine marten, mink, pheasant and squirrel can be seen. A separate rodent study centre has been established for rodents.
According to the agreement signed between the Estonian Society of Foresters and RMK at the beginning of April, RMK will take over management of Elistvere Animal Park. The transfer of the administrative right of the park is planned to be completed by 1 July 2008 at the latest.
RMK is interested in managing and developing Elistvere Animal Park as it allows to diversify the opportunities of the nature education provided. The cooperation of RMK and Elistvere Animal Park at conducting nature study programmes has been active for almost ten years.
RMK is a profit-making state agency established under the Forestry Act, aimed at sustainable and efficient management of the state forest. In addition to this, RMK creates possibilities for forest holidays and shapes nature awareness. RMK manages almost 40% of the Estonian forests.
Additional information:
Asta Sarv
Manager of Elistvere Animal Park
Telephone +372 776 4666, +372 5346 5030
www.vooremaastik.ee/elistvere
Marge Rammo
Head of the Recreation Management Department of Enterprise Estonia
Telephone +372 676 7530, +372 513 7035
e-mail: marge.rammo
rmk.ee www.rmk.ee/en
