Dublin Zoo Dublin Zoo news 2024

I paid another visit to Dublin this morning. The heaping crowds of visitors and occassional showers made it somewhat overwhelming for me, but I managed to get some enjoyment regardless. Of particular note from my visit:
  • I saw both tapirs grazing outdoors, and there is no sign that they will leave for Belfast anytime soon (see page 22 for my post from January). It's possible those plans have been scrapped, but I can't say this for sure.
  • I managed to see the new male lion along with a lioness in the tigers' former enclosure. However, I did see a second lioness in the lions' original enclosure near the entrance, so if they're intending to keep all the lions together as a pride, the move for the lions may not be complete.
  • Speaking of the tigers, they have a new house at their enclosure near the entrance, complete with indoor viewing, and I could see both tigers dozing inside.
  • I was also lucky to see Aung Bo (probably my second time seeing him as I visited Chester a decade ago) and the new cheetah, especially as this was just before the first big shower came.
  • I also saw plenty of new signage throughout the zoo, with new signs for the ring-tailed and red ruffed lemurs, lions, tigers, and macaques. Needless to say, I really like how some of the signs tell visitors the different adaptations of each species.
Photos will appear in the gallery shortly.
 
I paid another visit to Dublin this morning. The heaping crowds of visitors and occassional showers made it somewhat overwhelming for me, but I managed to get some enjoyment regardless. Of particular note from my visit:
  • I saw both tapirs grazing outdoors, and there is no sign that they will leave for Belfast anytime soon (see page 22 for my post from January). It's possible those plans have been scrapped, but I can't say this for sure.
  • I managed to see the new male lion along with a lioness in the tigers' former enclosure. However, I did see a second lioness in the lions' original enclosure near the entrance, so if they're intending to keep all the lions together as a pride, the move for the lions may not be complete.
  • Speaking of the tigers, they have a new house at their enclosure near the entrance, complete with indoor viewing, and I could see both tigers dozing inside.
  • I was also lucky to see Aung Bo (probably my second time seeing him as I visited Chester a decade ago) and the new cheetah, especially as this was just before the first big shower came.
  • I also saw plenty of new signage throughout the zoo, with new signs for the ring-tailed and red ruffed lemurs, lions, tigers, and macaques. Needless to say, I really like how some of the signs tell visitors the different adaptations of each species.
Photos will appear in the gallery shortly.
Is it likely that the old lion enclosure will belong to the tigers, once the lionesses still living there move elsewhere?
Edit: If the tapir move to Belfast really has been scrapped, maybe there is a chance that Belfast might go back to Malayan tapirs.
 
Is it likely that the old lion enclosure will belong to the tigers, once the lionesses still living there move elsewhere?
Edit: If the tapir move to Belfast really has been scrapped, maybe there is a chance that Belfast might go back to Malayan tapirs.

That's what I thought with the tigers, and if that is indeed the case, I wonder if they'll use the lions' old enclosure as a separate tiger enclosure, or if the fence between them will be knocked down to merge the two enclosures (I feel the former is more likely).

Regarding the tapirs, I did like the idea of Belfast going back into Malayans, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds.
 
One thing I forgot to say, I saw all five of the dholes running around outside, and one of them appeared to be limping in one of its back legs. Hope its leg heals.
 
Had a good visit today. Things of note are:
  • The South America House was closed for maintenance. There also weren't any animals in the outdoor cages from what I could see.
  • There was some species of tortoise mixed with the green tree-python, but I couldn't ID it. I unfortunately didn't take a picture.
  • There is still at least one lioness in the old lion enclosure next to the tigers.
  • The area near the hippo paddock, next to the bench area was fenced off. This could be due to mud or something similar but could also be the construction of a new enclosure, although, I didn't see anything that suggested the framework of a cage or something similar.
 
I apolgoise for the random question but I have been looking at Dublin Zoo on google maps (Very good it looks as well!) but I know that a new himalayan enclosure was opened recently, what is being held in what i asume was the former red panda enclosure near the massive flamingo aviary.

Many thanks!
 
I apolgoise for the random question but I have been looking at Dublin Zoo on google maps (Very good it looks as well!) but I know that a new himalayan enclosure was opened recently, what is being held in what i asume was the former red panda enclosure near the massive flamingo aviary.

Many thanks!
The old red panda enclosure is empty.
(On another note, should yearly threads for this zoo be created from now on seeing as this thread has 500+ posts?)
 
In a recent interview, director Christoph Schwitzer discussed some of his plans for Dublin Zoo, including a new aquarium and his hopes for the proposed new Australian exhibit, as well as some of his thoughts on the role and future of zoos in general: “People want to be close to animals”: in conversation with zoo director Christoph Schwitzer
Very interesting article and I am quite glad that a zoo relatively close to me has a zoo-enthusiast in charge who is passionate about diversifying Dublin's collection. It is quite exciting and will be interesting to see the planned developments come to shape.
 
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