A new exhibition has opened at the Ülemiste shopping centre, dedicated to Estonia’s largest mammal – the pride of our forests, the elk. The Animal of the Year is presented through the lenses of Estonia’s best-known wildlife photographers.
The photo exhibition “Elk – Majesty of the Forest” features 60 educational photographs depicting the elk’s habitat, diet, and daily life. According to the exhibition’s curator and nature expert Tarmo Mikussaar, the elk is an important indicator species that reflects the health of Estonia’s forests. “Our largest mammal settled here after the end of the Ice Age and still inhabits the most pristine areas – swamps and forests. Due to its size, one might think the elk is bold and often visible to humans, but in reality, it is a cautious animal,” he said, adding that this exhibition offers a great opportunity to get acquainted with this proud forest dweller.
The exhibition teaches visitors how to recognize elk tracks in the forest – whether hoofprints on the ground or marks on tree trunks. Guests can also take a closer look at elk calves, which are rarely seen by humans in the wild. One of the exhibition’s central themes highlights the growing number of traffic accidents involving elks, which have become a serious threat to both people and wildlife.
Hosting an exhibition dedicated to the Animal of the Year has become a cherished tradition at Ülemiste Centre – elk and other species of Estonian fauna have been presented here for the fourth time. Tiia Nõmm, Head of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at Ülemiste, noted that the main goal of the exhibition is to bring a piece of nature into the urban environment and inspire visitors to be more aware of the changes happening in the forests: “The exhibition shares numerous scientific and fascinating facts that help visitors better understand the elk’s lifestyle and its role in the ecosystem. Most importantly, it reminds us that the safety of both people and elks largely depends on ourselves.
According to zoologist Ragne Erimäe, the elk deserves more than just the title of a game animal – it is a model species for green corridors. She explained that in recent years, the elk population, especially on the Estonian mainland, has significantly decreased. Besides hunting pressure, this is also due to the increasing numbers of large predators – wolves and bears. “That’s why now is the right time to speak of the elk as the pride of Estonia’s forests. The presence of elks and the good condition of local populations indicate the connectedness of green areas and show that enough natural habitats remain for other large mammals to thrive alongside the elk,” Erimäe explained. She added that it is crucial for people to better understand the needs of wild animals and consciously share living spaces with them.
In addition to the Animal of the Year exhibition, the Environment Agency invites volunteers to help map elk migration routes and habitats in and around populated areas. Anyone can contribute to the research by registering elk sightings or traces of their activity in residential zones and their surroundings.
The exhibition will remain open until 31 January. The captivating story of the elk’s life is told through the photographs of renowned wildlife photographers Ingmar Muusikus, Kalmer Lehepuu, Erik Mandre, Tarmo Mikussaar, Rauno Roos, Helen Arusoo and Ave Kruusel.
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