"Tariff Not Yet Set" – When Will the New Tbilisi Zoo Open?

The new Tbilisi Zoo is set to open on the territory of Tbilisi Sea in July. According to Zurab Gurielidze, the Director of Tbilisi Zoo, who spoke on Business Morning, work on infrastructure improvements, including landscaping, is currently underway.

Visitors to the new zoo will find larger enclosures and updated exhibits. Plans also include the introduction of giraffes to the new location.

“We plan to open the zoo in the first half of July, but it’s difficult to specify an exact date at this stage. The first phase will feature the so-called Caucasian Exhibit, which serves a dual purpose: on one hand, it will be an exhibition space for visitors, and on the other hand, it will play a crucial role in conservation, focusing on the protection and restoration of endangered species. This is one of the key roles of zoos, and in this regard, the new Tbilisi Zoo will be significantly different from the old one," Gurielidze explained.

He further mentioned that municipal support has been provided and that the current year's budget is sufficient for the first phase of the zoo's opening. While additional funding is always beneficial, the existing resources will allow for the completion of this initial phase while ongoing projects are being finished.

"After the Caucasian Exhibit opens, we will soon add the African Exhibit, for which financial resources are already secured. Therefore, we do not foresee major challenges in this regard this year. We expect that by the end of this year or at the latest by early next year, construction of additional enclosures will be completed, and at that point, we will be able to actively work on bringing giraffes to the zoo," Gurielidze added.

As for the admission price to the new zoo, Gurielidze confirmed that it has not yet been set.

“Decisions regarding tariffs are not made independently by us; they are subject to agreement, so we cannot provide a specific price at this stage. Additionally, I’d like to mention that the existing zoo will continue to operate. It features different species and exhibits, so for a period of time, both zoos will operate complementing each other," he said.

The new location for the zoo on the Tbilisi Sea territory was chosen after the tragedy on June 13, 2015. The new zoo will span 48 hectares, and fully equipping it is expected to require an investment of around $50 million.