Plovdiv officials face inquiry over zoo renovation plans

Municipal council members from the Independent for Plovdiv group submitted a formal inquiry to Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov regarding the operation, repair work, and finances of the Plovdiv Zoological Garden. The proposed renovation includes repairing 22 animal habitats, constructing a decorative lake with a bio‑filter system, a panoramic tower, new playgrounds, and acquiring dozens of animal species, with a target opening in the fall of 2027.

The council requested detailed information on how public funds are being spent, the number and salaries of staff, contracts with external contractors, the status of public procurement, the total investment cost, and coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Waters for licensing. Chairperson Nikolay Gyurov said citizens have waited more than a decade for the zoo to open and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, not the suspension of the project. The group expects a written response from the mayor within the legally prescribed deadline.