Founded in 1830, the Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest scientific zoo in the world. Ideally located in Phoenix Park, Dublin, around 500,000 visitors come to the zoo every year. Occupying a huge land area of around 30 acres in the Phoenix Park, the zoo is an ideal habitat for more than 235 species of animals and birds. The mission of Dublin Zoo is to conserve many endangered species on earth in collaboration with other zoos in the world.
History of Dublin Zoo
Originally named as the Zoological Gardens Dublin, the zoo was opened in September 1, 1831, with 72 birds and 46 mammals donated by the London Zoo. Slowly the zoo began to expand in terms of both the area and the number of animals. Entrance lodge in the zoo was built in 1833 and the tea rooms were built in the year 1898 to provide refreshments to the visitors. Dublin Zoo celebrated Queen Victoria's Coronation in the year, 1838. More than, 20,000 people attended the function recording the highest number of visitors to the zoo on a particular day, till date. Today it is regarded as one of the best scientific zoo in the world.
Themed Areas of Dublin Zoo
The themed areas of the Dublin Zoo were created as a part of the 'Plan for the Future of Dublin Zoo', started by the Zoological Society of Ireland jointly with 'The Office of Public Works' in Ireland. The government approved it and allocated huge funds to improve the zoo. World of Primates was the first theme area, which opened in 1996 followed by the African Plains in 2001. The main theme areas are :
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- World of Cats
- City Farm and Pet's Corner
- South American House
- Reptile House
- African Plains
- Fringes of the Arctic
- Kaziranga Forest Trail for Elephants
The World of Primates consists of apes, monkeys and gorillas from Western low land. It is built as a string of islands, artificially built on a natural lake. These islands are inhabited by animals like gibbons, red ruffed lemurs, spider monkeys, eastern colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and celebes macaques. The World of Cats, opened in 1998 is very popular with snow leopards, lions and jaguars. The snow leopard enclosure has been designed to resemble a natural rocky habitat. African lions are a major attraction. Established in 1999, the City Farm and Pet's corner gave the visitors an opportunity to come in close contact with domestic animals like goats, cows and ponies and understand their behavior.
Breeding endangered species, is also one of the main activities of the Dublin Zoo. As a member of European Species Program, the zoo manages the preservation of near extinct species like Golden Lion Tamarin, Moluccan Cockatoos and Rodrigues Fruit Bats.
Dublin Zoo is easily accessible from the city center by bus and by train. The timings of Dublin Zoo between March to September 9:30 am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays the zoo timings are from 10:30 am to 6pm. In the months of October to February it is open from 9:30am till dusk and on Sundays it remains open from 10:30am till dusk.
Dublin Zoo is one of the most coveted tourist attractions where an exciting and fun filled day can be spent with the family.
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