Latgale Zoo

Latgale Zoo has a variety of small exotic animals on display – monkeys, parrots, snakes, fish, crocodile caimans, spiders and scorpions, turtles, Egyptian fruit bats, frogs, armadillos, iguanas and other tropical inhabitants. The zoo blends human environment with an animal world, so the animals can be viewed without disturbing their daily rhythm. Curiously that at the Latgale Zoo, animals also enjoy observing visitors and what they are doing.

In the zoo are no animals that were caught in the wild – those that can be seen in the exhibition have lived alongside humans for generations, similar to cats and dogs. The zoo also serves as a shelter for exotic animals – most of the animals seen here have been given away because the previous owners no longer wanted to keep them or did not know how to provide appropriate care. However, there are no Latvian animals here – encounters with them should be made in nature! The exception in the exhibition is the rare and protected European pond turtles, for which the Latgale Zoo specialists continue the acclimatization program in Latvia.

The zoo offers guided tours both in the zoo exhibition and in the Latgales Wetland Biodiversity Park and Wetland Trail.

The work of the Latgale Zoo comply with the laws of the European Union and Latvian laws that regulate zoos; three zoo functions are implemented here: ecological education, science and nature protection. The European Commission has cited the Latgale Zoo as an example of good practice in the successful implementation of the European Union Zoos Directive. The zoo’s biologists conduct research of international importance and practical nature conservation measures to preserve endangered Latvian animal species – among them are the European pond turtle, natterjack toad, European red-bellied fire toad and great diving beetle. Recently, a significant discovery was made, identifying a previously unknown reptile species in Latvia – the eastern slow worm. In order to preserve the nature of Latvia, invasive species – Chinese sleeper and alien turtles that threaten local ecosystems are also being studied.

In the yard of the Latgale Zoo, visitors can see a real hobbit house for insects and spiders and, after visiting the zoo, take a walk through the Latgales Wetland Biodiversity Park and Wetland Trail with viewing platforms and birdwatching hides, which can also be walked in the dark. The gates from the Latgale Zoo territory are open only during the zoo’s working hours, but the trail is also accessible from three other entrances with no time limits, although the trail is closed during the bird nesting period from March 1 to August 1.