Tallinn Zoo Animals Open Exhibition of Their Paintings and Drawings

A unique art exhibition has opened at the west gate of Tallinn Zoo, featuring paintings and drawings created by some of its residents: chimpanzees, African elephants, and otters. The animals engage in painting as an enriching activity to combat boredom, especially during winter when they are kept indoors.

Zookeeper Erko Kiisel explained that mass production is not the goal; painting sessions take place up to 20 times per year, mainly in winter. Each elephant has its own style. Fien paints with strikes of her trunk, the force varying with her mood, while Carl and Draay are more consistent. Keepers select colors, usually six basic ones, and reward the animals with treats like bottle gourd pieces or special corn and carrot biscuits.

Otters required a different approach: they left paw prints on canvas while jumping for chicken hearts held above it. Curator Darja Zubareva noted that the otters did not create art for art's sake but were motivated by food.

The artworks are for sale, with proceeds going to charities supporting the conservation of Sumatran rhinoceros, Pallas's cat, and wild European mink. Fien the elephant has previously gained attention for football predictions; ahead of Euro 2024, he correctly forecast Spain as a finalist.