Riga, March 25 (LETA) - The Riga City Council on Wednesday adopted a final decision on the merger of the Riga National Zoological Garden (Riga Zoo) with Rigas Mezi municipal forest manager.

Before the merger, EUR 1,450,000 will be invested in the share capital of Riga National Zoological Garden from contingency funds.

As previously stated by representatives of the Riga City Council at a press conference, the main purpose of the merger is the need to urgently start building the Himalayas exhibition. The cost is estimated at EUR 8.35 million.

The Himalayan exhibit will feature snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, golden jackal, manul, yellow-throated marten, Indian crested porcupine, Thorold's deer and others.

Himalaya is the first step towards the transformation of the zoo into a modern bio-park, as outlined in its long-term development plan.

The Riga Zoo is the smallest municipal company in Riga. The zoo receives a subsidy from the Riga municipality of around EUR 1.8 million. Another EUR 0.5 million is provided by the state, and the rest comes from ticket revenue.

Around 300,000 people visit the zoo every year.

According to Firmas.lv, Riga Mezi turnover in 2024 was EUR 21,491,254, with a profit of EUR 2,009,654.

The turnover of the Riga Zoo in the same period was EUR 5,423,342, and its profit was EUR 14,828.