- Address: Meža prospekts 1, Ziemeļu rajons, Rīga, LV-1014, Latvia;
- Area: 16 hectares;
- Opening: October 14, 1912;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Phone: +371 67 517 975;
- Number of pets: 3.
In the most green and picturesque corner of Riga , in Mezaparks , on the western side of Lake Kishezersa, is the famous Riga Zoo. This year, he will celebrate his 105th anniversary. Moving from one exposure to another, you seem to move in time and space. Here you can find animals, birds and insects from all over the world. A lot of impressions and unforgettable memories from visiting this amazing place is guaranteed not only by children, but also by adults.
Riga Zoo - you need to see it!
It is customary to consider the official date of the foundation of the Riga Zoo on October 14, 1912. The first animals (these were 4 cubs) were settled here in 1911. And all this became possible, thanks to an enterprising public that submitted a petition to the city government of Riga with a request for the lease of a forest area near Lake Kishezers as far back as 1907. A little later, the society "Riga Zoo" was formed and landscaping began.
By the way, we can assume that the new zoo has become a kind of engine of progress. The influx of visitors was incredible, so it was decided to build the first electric tram line in this direction. In 1913, exotic animals appeared in the Riga Zoo: pelicans, turtles, Malay bears and monkeys.
During the First World War all valuable inhabitants of the zoo were transported to Koenigsberg. Animals returned to Riga only in 1932, there were very few of them - only 124 individuals. Soon the process of restoring the zoo was interrupted by the next war. This time the animals were not taken anywhere, but for visitors the entrance was forbidden. In the postwar period, the rapid development and expansion of the Riga Zoo began. In 1987, it already had 2150 inhabitants.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the difficult years of the formation of Latvia as a sovereign state were reflected in the zoo. The number of visitors decreased threefold, difficult times forced the management to sell many animals. Volunteers struggled to help, a particularly sharp struggle was fought for the elephant Zuzite, born in the Riga Zoo. But, alas, to contain so many animals was beyond the power, with many had to say goodbye.
Today the Riga Zoo is thriving, hosting 300,000 visitors annually. Constantly work is underway to improve the internal territory, new aviaries are being built, thematic expositions are being created, and animal collections are being replenished.
Since 1993, the Riga Zoo has its own branch - "Tsiruli" (on the 154th kilometer of the highway "Riga - Liepaja "). Its area is about 140 hectares (this is 7 times more than the main zoo). Here live 50 species of animals (38 wild, 12 domestic), among them lynx, wolverine, the largest herd of kiangs, two-headed wild boar Fandra and the "blue" cow.
Who lives in the Riga Zoo?
Animal fund of the zoo includes 3200 individuals, among which representatives of fauna more than 430 species.
Throughout the territory of the zoo are located fenced locations, within which various exposures are created. You can see them on the map of the Riga Zoo. The largest of them are:
- tropical house ;
- the kangaroo house ;
- rare animals of Europe ;
- birds of prey ;
- house of giraffes ;
- terrarium ;
- home of seals and small waterfowl ;
- predators ;
- exposition of lemurs and Galapagos turtles ;
- house of flamingos ;
- peacock yard ;
- house of cranes and pelicans ;
- owls of Latvia ;
- the aquarium .
There are also separate pens and aviaries with camels, hippos, bears, monkeys, mountain goats, and other animals.
Especially popular among visitors is the contact exposition "Rural courtyard". It is allowed to go in here and touch the animals with hands. On the mini-farm live funny piglets, domestic goats, lambs, chickens, other farm animals and birds.
Information for visitors
- The work hours of the Riga Zoo: the warm season - from 10:00 to 19:00, in winter - from 10:00 to 17:00;
- the ticket office closes an hour before the zoo;
- Ticket price: adult - € 6, child (from 4 to 18 years), student and pension - € 4, family (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) - € 17;
- it is better to plan a visit to the zoo for the first half of the day, at this time the animals are more active;
- to inspect all exposures will take about 3-4 hours;
- Weekends: January 1, June 24;
- reduced working days: December 31, June 23;
- In the summer, animals are publicly fed on special sites (from 11:30 to 14:15);
- During the year, the traditional events take place in the Riga Zoo: "The Tropical Month" (in February), "Bird Days" (in April), "The Night of History" and "Family Days" (in May), "Shmelinaya Pora" (in June) , "Striped Days" (in August);
- parking near the zoo is paid (€ 4), there is a free bicycle parking;
- forbidden entry with dogs, roller skating, skateboards, scooters, bicycles on the territory of the zoo;
- feed animals is not allowed;
- in December and January there are "winter evenings" - the time of the zoo's operation is extended to 21:00 (if you came after 16:00, you can buy a ticket twice as cheap as usual).
Riga Zoo: how to get there?
From the center of Riga can be reached in 20-30 minutes. You can reach the tram (№9 or 11) from the Stacijas laukums stop. Trams run often, every 10 minutes.
Also to the Riga zoo from the eastern part of the city there is a 48 bus.