07.03.2012

Latvijas Pasts to celebrate 100^th anniversary of Riga Zoo by issuing special stamp series

To mark the 100^th anniversary of the Riga National Zoo, Latvijas Pasts will issue a special stamp series depicting several residents of the zoo. The new series is set for release in April 2012.

The stamp series will depict three inhabitants of the Riga Zoo, picked by Latvijas Pasts together with the specialists of the zoo. All three animals have been significant symbols of the work and development of Riga Zoo in the past hundred years, so this April, the European tree frog, the kiang and the lion will be featured in the new stamp series 100^th Anniversary of Riga Zoo. The design of the stamps is currently being worked on by the popular artist Ludis Danilāns.

The European tree frog was included on the upcoming stamp series because of the project initiated in 1988 by the specialists of the Riga Zoo for the restoration of this amphibian species in Latvia. The project was unique in Europe, and its outcome is a healthy natural population of the tree frogs in Kurzeme.

The kiangs of Riga, which have been part of the zoo's collection since 1957, up until 1980 were the only members of their species in zoos outside China. Up to now, more than 100 kiang foals have been born in the Riga Zoo. The zoo's group of kiangs now lives in the base Cīruļi outside the city.

Lions have always been the species that visitors definitely want to see, ever since modern zoos were first created in the end of the 18^th century. The Lion Pit was one of the first exhibits in the Riga Zoo when it was founded in 1912. The current Lions' House was built in 1938, funded by Riga City. This animal is sometimes considered to be the symbol of Riga - golden lions holding a shield are also depicted in the current coat of arms of Riga, which was designed in 1925.

The need to create a zoological garden in Riga was first discussed in the end of the 19^th century. The day of birth of the Riga Zoo was October 14, 1912. At that time, 88 species of animals were displayed. The layout of the zoo was created by the famous landscape architectGeorg Kuphaldt, while the buildings were designed by the architectHermanis Zeiberlihs.

About SJSC Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides philately, transport and express mail, financial intermediation, payment, press subscription and retail services. Latvijas Pasts is a fully state-owned company with approximately 4,600 employees.

Additional information
Zane Plone,
SJSC Latvijas Pasts
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: +371 67608504
E-mail: zane.plone@pasts.lv