Riga Zoo

The Riga National Zoo was established on 14 October 1912. Since then it has experienced a variety of ups and downs, but most importantly the zoo has achieved a respectable age, although not a record one, since the beginnings of the modern zoo can be traced to earlier centuries.

In November 1992 the Zoo was addmitted as a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). On 22 December the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia granted the Riga Zoo the status of National Zoo. The suburban branch of the Zoo "Cīruļi" was established in 1993 for the purose of housing and increasing the number of kiangs. In 1997 the Insectarium becomes a permanent exhibit.

The Zoo includes the traveling exhibition "Little Giants" – animated puppets representing greatly magnified insects. Live exhibits and information games are a part of the exhibit. The Tropical House of the Riga Zoo with 80 species of animals opened its doors to visitors on 25 May. Included are exhibits of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates (insects, scorpions and arachnids) and nocturnal animals. This is the first major environmental exhibition in the Riga Zoo. Deserving of special attention is the exhibit of leafcutter ants.