Science | Latgales Zoo

About Latgales Zoo and Science

Latgales Zoo (LZD) is an institution of Daugavpils State City Municipality, established on March 12, 1992. In accordance with EU and Latvian legislation on zoo operations, in cooperation with European scientific institutions and funds, it successfully implements the three main functions of zoos: ecological education, science, and nature conservation.

LZD **does not have** animals caught in the wild. All our animals come from zoo culture and, like cats and dogs, have lived alongside humans for generations. The majority of our animals are "unwanted" by previous owners and live with us in a shelter.

The exhibition houses only small tropical zoo-culture animals for which a natural-like environment has been created. Most of the animals breed here, and many live across generations. In total, more than 120 zoo-culture animal species (approximately 2000 individuals) live, grow, and reproduce in 100 terrariums, pools, aquariums, and enclosures: monkeys, parrots, snakes, fish, caimans, spiders, turtles, flying foxes, frogs, armadillos, iguanas, etc.

LZD is a friendly environment for people with special needs.

Scientific Activities and Achievements

LZD implements scientific and nature conservation functions according to its own concept:

We study in Latvia what we protect in Latvia –
we protect in Latvia what we study in Latvia

This has allowed LZD to be among the leading European zoos in efficiency.

Main research directions of our scientists:

Great diving beetle Dytiscus latissimus;
Distribution and ecology of Latvian herpetofauna species;
European pond turtle Emys orbicularis;
Pond aquaculture;
Anthropogenic threats to herpetofauna and aquaculture;
Invasive species, incl. Perccottus glenii, Trachemys scripta, etc.

In cooperation with foreign scientists from 8 countries, LZD biologists discovered a new reptile species for Latvia in 2021 – the eastern slowworm Anguis colchica – using molecular genetics methods.

LZD biologists, in co-authorship with foreign colleagues, have published over 45 scientific articles (25 of them in SCOPUS/Web of Science indexed journals, ~50% Q1-Q2), as well as 3 monographs. They have presented at over 120 conferences in 24 countries with more than 180 presentations. Publications are available on ResearchGate.

Under an agreement with Daugavpils University, LZD performs the functions of the Laboratory of Nature Conservation and IT-MI Solutions. Participated in more than 10 Latvian and European projects.

Scientific Activities in Photos

Great diving beetle Dytiscus latissimus — Great diving beetle *Dytiscus latissimus* – one of the main research objects

Eastern slowworm Anguis colchica — Eastern slowworm *Anguis colchica* – new species discovered for Latvia (2021)

Herpetologist in research — Scientific work with herpetofauna and aquaculture

Latgales Wetland – Biodiversity Park

Established in 2022 next to LZD. More than 260 species live freely: birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and plants. For example, great cormorants, nightingales, beavers, foxes, hares, frogs, newts, grass snakes, and the 2026 Animal of the Year in Latvia – common toad Bufo bufo.

Free entry.