Dublin Zoo, in
Phoenix Park, Dublin,
Ireland is the largest zoo in Ireland and one of Dublin's most popular attractions. Opened in 1831, the zoo describes its role as conservation, study, and education. Covering over 24 hectares (59 acres) of Phoenix Park, it is divided into areas named
World of Cats, World of Primates, The Kaziranga Forest Trail, Fringes of the Arctic, African Plains, Birds, Reptiles, Plants, City Farm and Endangered Species.
Themed Areas
African Plains:
African Plains, opened in 2001, covers 13 hectares. Animals in the African Plains include Bongos, African Lions, African Wild Dogs, Red River Hogs, White-crowned Mangabeys, Chimpanzees, White Rhinos, Hippos, Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches, Gorillas and Scimitar-horned Oryx (this species is now extinct in the wild). The African Savanna Exhibit opened in April 2009.
The Kaziranga Forest Trail (elephants):
The enclosure opened on 28 June 2007 with four elephants, and includes a waterfall, a river, a path with many impressions (elephant footprints, human footprints, deer footprints and plant impressions) a children's playground, a small viewing area, a large semi-sheltered viewing area where visitors can sit down, two elephant pools, two feeding areas, toilets, a large house in which visitors can see the elephants, plentiful vegetation, and educational signs.
World of Primates:
The World of Primates houses apes and monkeys, and Western Lowland Gorillas. The exhibit opened to the public in 1996. The area comprises a string of man-made islands in a natural lake. The islands range in size from 15 to 30 square metres and are linked by wooden bridges to sleeping quarters on the lake shore.
City Farm and Pets' Corner:
The City Farm and Pets' Corner was completed in 1999. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the goats, donkeys, cows and ponies, which are housed in open-air paddocks. Rare farm breeds are maintained in this area, including the Kerry cow, the Galway sheep, and the Kunekune pig. Another popular animal is the
Turkey. In the Pets' Corner visitors can see popular pets including dogs, cats,
Guinea pigs, rabbits and canaries. The dogs are all Labradors.
South American House:
This house has South American animals most of which are primates including the critically endangered Golden Lion Tamarin. It has Three-toed sloths, White-faced Saki, Squirrel Monkeys, Goeldi's Monkeys and Red-footed tortoises which have bred successfully, and their offspring are available to see in the Reptile House.
Reptile House:
The Reptile House was opened in 1876 and now includes Nile Crocodiles, African Rock Pythons, juvenile Red-footed tortoises, Pancake tortoises, Leopard tortoises, African spurred tortoises, Desert locusts, and Nile Monitor lizards.
