ZOOLOGICAL FACILITIES

INTRODUCTION
Denmark has a long tradition in zoological gardens. Zoos are sources of information on wild animals and their habits, and perform an important function in the preservation of endangered species by participating in breeding programmes and nature protection projects.

The Government grants subsidies to several zoological facilities throughout the country every year to ensure that Denmark does its part to heighten the quality of zoology and provide facilities of international standard.

To be eligible for state aid zoological facilities must:
- Impart knowledge of wild animals and their preservation
- Participate actively in work designed to preserve endangered wild animal species
- Grant support to research and tuition
- Organise special information drives for children

LEGISLATION
Legislation governing state subsidy to zoological facilities was adopted in April 2000 (Statute no: 255 of 12/04/2000). This Act substitutes the Act on State Subsidies to Zoological Gardens (Statute no: 199 of 18 May 1977). The Act’s jurisdiction now extends to all zoological facilities, including aquariums.

FINANCE
In 2001 subsidies were granted to six zoological facilities: Givskud Zoo, Odense Zoo, Zoological Gardens Copenhagen, Aalborg Zoo, Randers Rain Forest and Denmark’s Aquarium. Total subsidies amounted to DKK 24.4 million.

INSTITUTIONS - THE ZOOLOGICAL FACILTIES AUTHORITY
As an extension of new legislation on zoological facilities, a Zoological Facilities Authority was established on 1 July 2000.

The authority will evaluate all zoological facilities applying for subsidies and act as an inspector of facilities in receipt of subsidies.

The authority will advise the Minister on how funding earmarked for zoological facilities in the Budget will be distributed. The authority’s recommendations will be based on a professional holistic evaluation of facilities seeking subsidies.

The Media and Subsidy Secretariat at the Ministry of Culture functions as the secretariat for the Zoological Facilities Authority. Its Website carries details on the authority, its plan of action for 2001-2004, and a review of subsidies awarded to zoological facilities.

ZOOLOGICAL FACILITIES

COPENHAGEN
The Copenhagen Zoo is one of Europe’s oldest zoological gardens. It was founded as a private institution in 1859, and as a self-governing body has been in receipt of state subsidies since 1978. The gardens are Denmark’s third largest tourist attraction and with 1.2 million visitors annually it is the country’s largest cultural institution.

GIVSKUD ZOO
Givskud Zoo was founded in 1969. The facility is a combination of a traditional zoological garden and safari park, with large open areas where the public can view free roaming animals.

ODENSE ZOO
Odense Zoo was founded in 1930 and has been in receipt of state subsidies since 1983. Odense Zoo is famous in Denmark for its sea cows.

AALBORG ZOO
Aalborg Zoo was founded in 1935 and is the largest all-year-round tourist attraction outside Copenhagen, with 375,500 visitors, annually.

RANDERS RAIN FOREST
Randers Rain Forest is a tropical exhibition based on the world’s rain forests. It opened in 1996 and already by the end of that year had succeeded in attracting more than 200,000 visitors.

DENMARK’S AQUARIUM
Denmark’s Aquarium was founded in 1939. It exhibits about 275 different aquatic species from around the world in 70 aquaria.