Dublin Zoo Dublin in 2013

Jihlava zoo has sent a 22-months old Snow Leopard female Čiči (pronounced like Chichi) to Dublin this week.
 
Okapi for Dublin Zoo, in a newspaper interview with the director.

A very exciting development for Dublin.
From a personal point of view, good to see an unusual addition to the Dublin collection a collection crammed full of the ABC's, perhaps with the exception of the white-crowned mangabeys.
 
A very exciting development for Dublin.
From a personal point of view, good to see an unusual addition to the Dublin collection a collection crammed full of the ABC's, perhaps with the exception of the white-crowned mangabeys.

I agree wholeheartedly, although it is a really nice zoo, there is little to encourage repeat visits or annual membership. Unlike Belfast or even Tayto park who always seem to be adding new/unusual species, Dublin has concentrated on big expensive exhibits for currently held species (which are indeed very good and worthwhile) and seem very reluctant to add aviaries or smaller mammal exhibits.
I would imagine netted aviaries would be relatively cheap to construct and there is several areas that could be greatly enhanced by the addition of such. I hate to be critical of a well run zoo and the attendence figures prove they are much appreciated, but it just frustrates me that there are so few birds displayed, compared to almost any other zoos anywhere.
 
That's our Kumar! Would really appreciate if someone could post a picture of Kumar in his new enclosure at Dublin Zoo. Who are his companions? We really miss him here..........

Can't help with a pic (sorry!)... but his companions will be Kanja and Mahia (aka Sita and Suri) from Mulhouse's 2010 litter (Sita X Jetpur)
 
What Birds are displayed- can you list them for us?

I reckon there are about 20 species and in fairness all are displayed very nicely.
Indian and Ground Hornbills, Flamingo, Waldrap ibis, Humboldts Penguin, Egrets, 2 macaw species, Lory, Snowy Owl, Ostrich, Rhea, 3 Pigeon species, Peafowl and Crested partridges and I think thats about it. At one time there were dozens of exotic ducks and Geese on the huge lakes, but nowadays there are just plenty of Mallards, Herons and Waterhen and I believe wild Otters and Foxes are the main reason for this situation.
 
Maybe the ABC animals are the key to Dublin zoo's success?

I am inclined to agree and even the birds are abc types, Ostrich, Penguin, Hornbill etc. and also there is a feel good factor as since the Gorillas moved to their new home all Apes and Monkeys are on good islands and there are no really bad looking exhibits.
I suppose the statistic of over 1,000,000 visitors speaks for itself, and I really do love the place and go there usually once a year, but I have tended to visit other zoos more often than Dublin in the last few years, because there are more new bird and mammal species to see.
 
I reckon there are about 20 species and in fairness all are displayed very nicely.
Indian and Ground Hornbills, Flamingo, Waldrap ibis, Humboldts Penguin, Egrets, 2 macaw species, Lory, Snowy Owl, Ostrich, Rhea, 3 Pigeon species, Peafowl and Crested partridges and I think thats about it. At one time there were dozens of exotic ducks and Geese on the huge lakes, but nowadays there are just plenty of Mallards, Herons and Waterhen and I believe wild Otters and Foxes are the main reason for this situation.

Its quite a representative selection but as you say, quite limited for a major collection- with seemingly no Toucans, Parakeets, Finches, Softbills, Birds of Prey, Corvids, Storks or Cranes, Pheasants, waterfowl etc at least some of which you might expect in a major collection like this.

Yes, depradations of pinioned wildfowl mean they will never keep exotic waterfowl on the Lakes again I imagine. Are there Canada Geese in Ireland/the Zoo Lakes?
 
According to zootierlist Dublin keep the following bird species,Abyssinian Ground Hornbill,Black-throated Laughing Thrush,Blue and Yellow Macaw,Chilean Flamingo,Roul-roul Partridge,Great Indian Hornbill,Greater Rhea,Humboldt Penguin,Indian Blue Peafowl,Ostrich,Pied Imperial Pigeon,Pink Pigeon,Scarlet Macaw,Snowy Owl,Toco Toucan,Victoria Crowned Pigeon,Waldrapp Ibis and Yellow-backed Chattering Lory.
 
They have military macaw (I think!), red crested turaco and a species of jungle fowl on my last visit too!
 
The Dublin Zoo facebook pages announce the arrival of a 3 year old female gorilla Kafi . she was born to Gana at Munster in August 2009 but unfortunately her mother died in January 2010 . I assume she has been hand-reared since then .
 
Back
Top