A rich range of mammals right near the heart of Turku

Ruissalo boasts an unusually rich and diverse range of mammals. In total, nearly 40 different mammal species have been recorded on the island. The most visible are the roe deer, which can often be seen in the island’s fields, at forest edges or leaping across roads. In addition to roe deer, the island is also home to white-tailed deer and the occasional elk. One of Ruissalo’s most characteristic mammals is the endearing European badger, which may be spotted during bright spring nights with luck. Badgers are often so focused on foraging that they will pay little attention to quietly observing humans. Ruissalo is also known for its bats, with nine of the 13 bat species found in Finland having been spotted on the island.