The Riga Zoo has recently unveiled the skeleton of a humpback whale, discovered in July 2006. The approximately ten-meter long, ten-ton male whale was already deceased when it was brought to the Skulte port for analysis by specialists from Latvia's University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Dean Kaspars Kovaļenko mentioned that he still possesses a rib fragment from the whale, noting the lengthy and complex nature of the dissection which involved electric saws that could not be returned to the rental company due to the persistent odor emanating from the whale's remains in Jelgava.

During the dissection, it was revealed that the humpback whale had severe skull fractures likely caused by a collision with a ship. The process of preparing the whale skeleton for display required significant effort, including soaking, cleaning, and preserving the bones over several months until they were suitable for conservation and assembly. Jānis Rudzītis, the chairman of the zoo's board, highlighted the challenges faced during this preparation, remarking that a project like this is unprecedented in the Baltic region.

The exhibition of the whale skeleton at the Riga Zoo not only serves as an educational tool but also raises awareness about marine life and conservation efforts. The preparation of the skeleton provides insight into the impacts of human activities on marine wildlife, particularly from ship-related incidents. This display is expected to attract visitors and draw attention to the importance of protecting marine ecosystems in Latvia and beyond.