The Rīga Zoo’s history dates back nearly 100 years. A special organisation was established in 1908 to set it up. On October 14, 1912, the zoo welcomed its first visitors. At that time there were 267 animals of 88 species. People demonstrated vast interest in the zoo. Many facilities were built on the basis of donations from wealthy people, and some of these structures can still be seen today. For instance, the café which is at the top of the hill at the far end of the zoo, on the shores of the Ķīšezers lake, dates back to that time, as do the entrance gate, which has hardly changed at all over the course of its history, and the administration building.…
