Zoo in Riga is situated on the picturesque neighborhood Mezaparks, West of lake Kisezers. The Foundation of the Riga Zoo put the company "Riga Zoological garden, founded about a hundred years ago, in 1908. Already on October 14, 1912, the zoo opened to the public and presented 267 88 species of animals. Of the buildings of those times to the present day remained mountain cafe on the lake, the entrance gate and the administration building. In 1914 Zoological garden got 538-Yu animals.
During the First World war many of the animals were taken to Germany and königsberg, and the zoo was closed. It began on 24 September 1933, thanks to a new society "Latvian Zoological garden". Collection of the inhabitants of the zoo was small – 124 48 species of animals. Not contributed to the development of the zoo and soon began the Second world war. Only thanks to the hard work of the staff of the collection of animals and premises managed to save almost without losses.
After the Second World war Riga Zoo steadily developed and soon became one of the best in the entire Soviet Union. In 1987 there were 2150 animals 405 species.
Not the best times survived the zoo during the collapse of the Soviet Union: decreased number of visitors, the crisis began. However, today the zoo expands, there is active construction, increased collection of animals, the zoo is preparing to celebrate the centenary.
Riga zoo is a favorite destination of locals and one of the most visited tourist attractions of Riga. To date, the exposure of the zoo, located on 20 hectares, presents more than 430 species of various animals, birds, and other animals. Now the visitors of the zoo offers a variety of excursions orientation duration from 1 hour and 30 minutes to three hours.
Riga zoo is constantly evolving, new buildings and exposition, updated collection of animals. In addition, the zoo has a branch "Ciruli, which is located on highway Riga-Liepaja. In the zoo, "Ciruli" on the area of 137 hectares of 38 species of wild animals and 12 species of domestic animals.
