Fota Wildlife Park Fota Wildlife Park News

Director Mr Sean McKeown has retired today. I wish all the best to him and thank him for keeping the park a wonderful place. Ms Aileen Tennant will succeed him and all the best to her as well.
Article detailing his retirement and some milestones of Fota:Fota Wildlife Park director ready for the quiet life after 40 years at helm Fota Wildlife Park director ready for the quiet life after 40 years at helm
 
Director Mr Sean McKeown has retired today. I wish all the best to him and thank him for keeping the park a wonderful place. Ms Aileen Tennant will succeed him and all the best to her as well.
Article detailing his retirement and some milestones of Fota:Fota Wildlife Park director ready for the quiet life after 40 years at helm Fota Wildlife Park director ready for the quiet life after 40 years at helm
Dr. McKeown really made a mark on the collection and its fortunes. Fota WP has certainly matured in a diverse animal collection with quite a few conservation breeding programs and the new expansion areas ... came in with him. I do hope he stays active while in retirement.
 
Weren't Banham getting rid of all their exotics, or has that collection plan been revised?

It was never the plan it seems - a plan to add UK natives to the existing zoo was misreported.
 
It was never the plan it seems - a plan to add UK natives to the existing zoo was misreported.
@Maguari, what do you mean by your observation? Can You elaborate perhaps (how and where ... natives)?

What I read from the tribute is examples of local Ireland natives like curlew, natterjack toads and the new Conservation and Education building being bat-friendly. Is that what you are referring to???
 
@Maguari, what do you mean by your observation? Can You elaborate perhaps (how and where ... natives)?

What I read from the tribute is examples of local Ireland natives like curlew, natterjack toads and the new Conservation and Education building being bat-friendly. Is that what you are referring to???

I was responding to @ZooNews2024 's comments about Banham, not Fota, hence the UK reference. ;)
 
Had a lovely day at Fota and saw all three lion cubs. New housing for siamangs is being built opposite the white faced saki island, in the path leading to the oryx house.
The giraffe house is being renovated quite extensively, the tank next to the thorny devils in the tropical house is empty with a sign referencing new species arriving. The tank next to seahorses is covered off too. Strangely I only saw one pelican, with seeing one last time too. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about. The soon to be pond in the education center looks like it can be an enclosure although I'm not sure. The plans for the Malagasy house reference four lemur species instead of the current two.
Edit: The Kaiser's spotted newt tank can be seen from outside the tropical house-it is on a windowsill near the restricted staff section. It is labelled with the general information sign and a fun fact sheet, although I believe it can be advertised more since apart from myself no visitor noticed the tank.
Edit 2: The prairie dogs are not in the collection anymore since there are no signs for them near their enclosure and they are removed from Fota's website.
 
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Had a lovely day at Fota and saw all three lion cubs. New housing for siamangs is being built opposite the white faced saki island, in the path leading to the oryx house.
The giraffe house is being renovated quite extensively, the tank next to the thorny devils in the tropical house is empty with a sign referencing new species arriving. The tank next to seahorses is covered off too. Strangely I only saw one pelican, with seeing one last time too. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about. The soon to be pond in the education center looks like it can be an enclosure although I'm not sure. The plans for the Malagasy house reference four lemur species instead of the current two.
Edit: The Kaiser's spotted newt tank can be seen from outside the tropical house-it is on a windowsill near the restricted staff section. It is labelled with the general information sign and a fun fact sheet, although I believe it can be advertised more since apart from myself no visitor noticed the tank.
Edit 2: The prairie dogs are not in the collection anymore since there are no signs for them near their enclosure and they are removed from Fota's website.
Thorny devils?! Do you mean a different species? Cos’ there’s definitely no thorny devils in Europe.
 
Thorny devils?! Do you mean a different species? Cos’ there’s definitely no thorny devils in Europe.
I meant the thorny devils stick insects.

I apologize for any confusion (although, unfortunately I don't think Fota will be first place to get the lizards if they ever reach Europe).
 
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