Published 01.09.2026
EAZA accreditation visit at Korkeasaari Zoo
In August, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria EAZA screening team visited Korkeasaari Zoo in Helsinki to review the zoo’s operations and ensure that its animals and facilities are managed in line with EAZA’s shared standards and principles. EAZA currently has more than 400 member organisations.
Korkeasaari Zoo is one of EAZA’s founding members and has been part of the association since 1992. The zoo’s previous EAZA inspection took place in 2013, so the visit in August had been long awaited. From now on EAZA aims to carry out accreditation visits at member zoos every five years, helping members continuously develop and improve their operations. Membership may also be withdrawn if a zoo fails to meet EAZA’s requirements.
How does EAZA assess a zoo?
Before an EAZA accreditation screening, the zoo completes a comprehensive questionnaire and submits the required documents. The screening team consists of two zoo professionals from EAZA member organisations and an EAZA Executive Office representative. Following the visit, the team provides feedback and recommendations for improvement and prepares a report that forms the basis for a decision on the zoo’s membership.
“The screening covers all key areas of zoo operations, including for example animal care and welfare, safety, finances, conservation and education. We spent two very full days at Korkeasaari, visiting all the animal care facilities, among other areas. The screening team met with our staff, asked a lot of questions and discussed opportunities for further development,” says Nina Trontti, Director of Animal Care and Conservation at Korkeasaari Zoo.
In their initial verbal feedback, the screeners praised Korkeasaari Zoo for its animal facilities, which are designed around the needs of the animals, as well as for its thoughtful enclosure design and wide range of enrichment activities. Enrichment is an integral part of the animal keepers’ everyday work at the zoo. The team also highlighted Korkeasaari Zoo’s extensive programme of high-quality educational activities, which are offered free of charge, as well as the zoo’s easy-to-understand signs and visitor information. The zoo’s wood and metal workshop also impressed the team with its ability to quickly produce a wide range of practical elements for the zoo. In the area of conservation, Korkeasaari Zoo’s participation in EU LIFE projects was mentioned as a particularly significant achievement.
What does EAZA membership mean for a zoo?
“Being a member of EAZA shows high commitment to good animal welfare and the high quality of the zoo. The zoo is also part of the big community where we all work together, share our knowledge, work with breeding programmes for all our animals to make sure we have good populations, to save the species together,” says Vera Ketelaar, EAZA Accreditation Coordinator, who was part of the team visiting Korkeasaari Zoo.
EAZA member zoos play an active role in conservation, research and conservation education, while following the association’s ethical guidelines. Members also commit to participating in EAZA Ex-situ Programmes (EEP). Through these programmes, zoos work together to manage animal populations and maintain genetic diversity and healthy populations under human care.
The EAZA zoos form a network dedicated to advancing species conservation. Sharing knowledge and best practices helps raise standards across the network, while EAZA’s own standards are regularly reviewed and updated in response to new research and developing practices.
“When you visit an EAZA member zoo, you can be confident that the zoo has been assessed against recognised quality standards and is committed to the conservation of endangered species,” Trontti concludes.
