Visit Dublin Zoo
Plan your day out to visit Dublin Zoo. There’s lots of new arrivals & new characters, Seasonal events and ongoing attractions…
Thursday, 2nd September, 2015
11 Tamworth Piglets born at Dublin Zoo!
11 Tamworth piglets are the latest arrivals at Dublin Zoo’s Family Farm, which is jointly run with Agri Aware. The piglets, who were born on 8th August, are in great health and feeding from their mother at present. The piglets can be seen at the Family Farm daily.
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am. For further information on Dublin Zoo visit ,
Tuesday, 9th June, 2015
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins Opens Sea Lion Cove at Dublin Zoo
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins opened the new Sea Lion Cove habitat during a ceremony in Dublin Zoo today (Tuesday, June 9th 2015).
Sea Lion Cove is the biggest and most exciting development undertaken by Dublin Zoo in a number of years. The new saltwater habitat was inspired by the natural environment of the California sea lions and includes a state of the art water filtration plant. The most spectacular feature of the new habitat is a deep saltwater pool and viewing area that allows visitors to observe the sea lions swimming underwater through glass.
Sea Lion Cove will be home to the colony of California sea lions at Dublin Zoo. Currently there are three females, Cassie, Florence and Seanna and one male, Nico, at the Zoo. It is envisaged that the colony will grow to approximately 7 – 8 animals in coming years. The California sea lion is found on the west coast of North America down to Mexico. Males can weigh up to 350kg and females up to 100kg.
Speaking at today’s event Leo Oosterweghel, Director of Dublin Zoo, said, “Today marks the culmination of one of the most challenging yet enjoyable projects we have ever undertaken at Dublin Zoo.
“Every detail of this wonderful saltwater habitat has been considered carefully with the needs of the sea lions in mind and always inspired by their natural habitat. This new home should encourage them to continue breeding and to encourage their natural behaviours giving visitors an amazing insight into sea lion behaviour.
“The build was very complex and as the construction took place on the site of a former lake, there were significant engineering challenges. But the result is a fantastic new habitat for the sea lions at Dublin Zoo and an excellent visitor experience.
He continued, “We are especially pleased to have President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins with us today to celebrate as these beautiful animals enjoy their new home.”
For the last 4 years Dublin Zoo has attracted over a million visitors a year making it one of Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions. Dublin Zoo is a not-for-profit organisation and all surplus is invested into improving and developing the Zoo.
Dublin Zoo is open seven days from 9.30am to 6pm.
For further information on Sea Lion Cove visit or
Wednesday, 3rd June
Dublin Zoo celebrates the birth of 3 red ruffed lemur babies
Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of three male red ruffed lemur babies. The new arrivals join the troop of four red ruffed lemurs already at Dublin Zoo.
The birth of three red ruffed lemur pups is extremely important for the team at Dublin Zoo and the international breeding programme. The species is listed as being critically endangered after a significant decline in population in recent decades because of agriculture, logging and mining activities across its habitat.
In the wild, the distribution of red ruffed lemurs is restricted to rainforest in north-east Madagascar. They generally live in groups of two to 16 animals. They have a very loud mechanical sounding call and scent marking is also an important means of communication.
Commenting on the new arrivals, team leader Ciaran McMahon said; “Red ruffed lemurs are one of the most endangered of all lemurs. The birth of three babies at Dublin Zoo is hugely significant and definitely something to celebrate! We are delighted to report that our new arrivals are strong and healthy and are nosily exploring their habitat on red ruffed lemur island”.
Join in and follow the conversation on Twitter @DublinZoo, on Facebook or on the series Facebook page: #TheZooRTE
Thursday, April 9th 2015
Critically Endangered Bongo Calf Born at Dublin Zoo
As springtime continues to surprise with such brilliant weather, Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of an eastern bongo calf on the African Plains late last week. Weighing in at 20kg, the calf was born to first-time mother Nanyuki and father Hodari.
The new arrival brings the bongo herd to four and is a particularly significant birth for the team at Dublin Zoo and the international breeding programme. The species remains critically endangered with possibly less than 100 eastern bongos thought to exist in the wild in a remote area of Kenya.
Team leader at Dublin Zoo, Helen Clarke-Bennett said, “We are delighted to report that we have a fine, healthy bongo calf who is feeding well and has already been introduced to its father. We don’t know the gender of the calf as yet but first-time mum Nanyuki is proving an excellent mother. She became pregnant on her first mating with Hodari and it’s great to see such a successful outcome”.
Bongos are characterised by a striking reddish brown coat, black and white markings, white-yellow stripes and long and slightly, spiralled horns. Young calves maybe quite shy and their natural instinct is to take cover as a way to protect themselves, so visitors to Dublin Zoo will need to be patient when trying to spot this latest arrival.
For those who want to know more about the animals and the team at Dublin Zoo team, the popular show The Zoo returns for a new series at 7pm on Thursday, April 9th on RTE One.
To join in, follow the conversation on twitter @DublinZoo or .
Thursday 26th March 2015
Spring Has Sprung at Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo celebrates the arrival of 12 piglets and 3 lambs just in time for spring
Dublin Zoo is welcoming the arrival of 12 Tamworth piglets and 3 Suffolk lambs at the Family Farm. The new arrivals, born in mid-March, are all thriving and can be seen by visitors at the Family Farm which is a joint project between Agri Aware and the Zoo.
Eddie O’Brien, team leader at Dublin Zoo said: “The piglets and lambs are adapting to their surroundings really well. It’s fantastic to see the Family Farm, which is one of the most popular parts of the Zoo for visitors, thriving with the new arrivals.”
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm from March – September with last admissions at 5pm.
Thursday, 12th March 2015
Dublin Zoo celebrates the arrival of a green tree python this St. Patrick’s Weekend
Legend suggests that St. Patrick banished all snakes from Ireland, however this weekend Dublin Zoo is welcoming the arrival of a striking green tree python to its Reptile House.
The green tree python is a small, slender species of python which prefers to coil over a tree branch rather than live on the ground. Native to the rainforests of New Guinea and northern Australia, green tree pythons are non venomous. Green tree pythons are carnivores and feed on small mammals and occasionally reptiles.
Eddie O’Brien team leader at Dublin Zoo said: “This python, which came from Emmen Zoo in the Netherlands, is settling in very well and we are very excited for visitors to get the opportunity to see him for the first time this weekend.”
On St. Patrick’s Day there will be lots of activities for families to enjoy at Dublin Zoo including maypole ribbon dancing, face-painting, arts & crafts and a DJ playing festive music! Magical storytelling will also take place with the leprechaun king while special keeper talks will run throughout the day and visitors can watch their favourite animals enjoy tri-coloured treats!
For more information on Dublin Zoo please go to or
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm from March – September with last admissions at 5pm.
October 18th 2014
#DublinElephants
URGENT: A herd of Asian elephants is roaming across Dublin City. If you spot any of these elephants send us your pics to @DublinZoo so we can track them down. There’ll be rewards for the best photos we receive!
The activity is part of the “Month of the Elephant” calendar of events organised this October by Dublin City Council, the Natural Confectionery Company, sponsor of the Kaziranga Forest Trail and Dublin Zoo to celebrate the arrival of three Asian elephant calves at Dublin Zoo.
This weekend Dublin Zoo is a hosting a family fun “Elephant Trail” and “Elephant Extravaganza” in Dublin City Centre.
The Elephant Trail will be an opportunity for families to take part in a FREE treasure hunt style event around the city. Participants will be challenged with finding the 6 Asian elephants hiding around Dublin city centre which hold the answers to the trail questions. Families can follow the trail, complete the answers and learn lots about elephants along the way!
The Elephant Trail will end at Barnardo’s Square (off Dame St.) where a family fun Elephant Extravaganza will take place featuring keeper talks from the Dublin Zoo elephant team, face painting, elephant arts and crafts and much more to ensure all the family have trucks of fun!
Every person who hands their completed trail in at Barnardo’s Square will receive a Child goes Free to Dublin Zoo pass. The elephant trail map can be downloaded from .
Follow our elephant journey @DublinZoo #DublinElephants
Friday, 22nd August 2014
The baby boom continues! Dublin Zoo announce birth of second Elephant Calf!
Dublin’s Lord Mayor on behalf of Dublin City Council and Dublin Zoo announces ‘Month of the Elephant’ celebration #DublinElephants
The excitement continues at Dublin Zoo with the announcement of the arrival of a second Asian elephant calf this week. The healthy male calf was born to mother Anak at 6.24am on Tuesday 19th August weighing in at 70kg. This is another extraordinary achievement for the animal care team at Dublin Zoo.
The calf, which is yet to be named, will join the rest of the herd – Bernhardine, Asha, Yasmin and her new calf which was born last month, mum Anak and Dad Upali in the Kaziranga Forest Trail at Dublin Zoo which is sponsored by The Natural Confectionery Company.
Paul O’Donoghue, assistant director at Dublin Zoo said, “It is amazing for us to be able to announce the birth of two Asian elephants in the space of six weeks. The calf is doing well and is being watched carefully by his mum Anak and the rest of the herd. As a first time mother, Anak has bonded very well with the calf, with the help of the family unit.’
Joining the announcement today at Dublin Zoo was the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, who along with his colleagues at Dublin City Council have named October 2014 the ‘Month of the Elephant’ to celebrate the new arrivals. It will be an ‘elephantastic’ month with an exciting elephant themed calendar of family fun days, events, workshops and keeper talks all around Dublin city and at the Zoo.
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The Lord Mayor, Christy Burke said, “The birth of the Asian elephants at Dublin Zoo is something that all of us at Dublin City Council want the people of Dublin to enjoy and share in. The Zoo is part of the fabric of Dublin life and has been a must see for Dublin families since it opened in 1831. I am delighted to be here today at the announcement of this second healthy bull calf and of course we wait expectantly for news of a third elephant arrival later in the autumn. Alongside the team at Dublin Zoo and The Natural Confectionery Company, the sponsors of the elephant’s habitat, we have planned a full month of elephant themed activities in schools, libraries and around our city this October.“These elephant births are really a wonderful achievement for the Zoo and as well as playing such an important role in the conservation of this species, will continue to ensure that our city’s Zoo makes news around the world which is a great thing for Dublin.”
Details of the ‘Month of the Elephant’ will be available at from 15th September.
Leo Oosterweghel, Director at Dublin Zoo commented, “We all so excited here at Dublin Zoo. To have two healthy elephant calves born in such quick succession is wonderful. We’re really pleased to have such great support from the Lord Mayor, Dublin City Council and The Natural Confectionery Company and we hope that the ‘Month of the Elephant’ allows people learn more about these impressive animals.”
The Natural Confectionary Company will be announcing details of the second naming competition on their Facebook page where another lucky family will get to officially name the new arrival at an event in Dublin Zoo.
Visitors can see Upali, Bernhardine, Asha and Anak and Yasmin with their new calves at the Kaziranga Forest Trail daily. You can also keep an eye on the herd on the elephant webcam at . The Zoo will also be keeping the public updated on Anak, Yasmin and their calves with regular #DublinElephants updates on the Dublin Zoo Facebook and Twitter . Details of the TNCC naming competition can be found on
The keeper talk ‘Elephant Encounters’ happens at 12.30pm every day so this is a good time to visit the Kaziranga Forest Trail to learn more about Asian elephants.
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm.
Dublin Zoo Welcomes Asian Lion Cub
Breeding programme at Dublin Zoo is a roaring success
Dublin Zoo is celebrating the arrival of an Asian lion cub. The cub was born to mum Zuri and dad Kumar who came to Dublin Zoo from Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands last year.
The birth of this lion cub is very significant for Dublin Zoo and the international breeding programme for this critically endangered species. There are less than 350 Asian lions in the wild. The entire wild population of these lions can be found in one place – the Gir Forest in India.
According to the animal care team at Dublin Zoo, the lion cub is bonding well with his parents, first time mum Zuri and experienced dad Kumar.
Team leader Ciaran McMahon said ‘We’re thrilled about the arrival of the cub. He has a wonderfully playful and curious personality. It’s lovely to see Zuri taking to her role as a new mum so well and Kumar is as cool and calm as ever. At two months old he now weighs an estimated 6.6kg.’
He continued, ‘In the past Dublin Zoo was very successful breeding African lions. It is now of great conservation importance that zoos maintain a viable population of critically endangered Asian lions.’
Dublin Zoo would like to invite the public to suggest a name for the new arrival based on his Asian origin. Name suggestions can be submitted through the Dublin Zoo Facebook page (see below).
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm.
For further information on Dublin Zoo visit or
Dublin Zoo is a not for profit organisation, registered charity number CHY 2964. Since Dublin Zoo first opened its doors in 1830, its 28 hectares has been transformed with the support of the Irish public and now attracts over 1 million visitors a year. All funds received by Dublin Zoo including gate takings, donations and sponsorships are directly invested into the day to day management, running and up keep of Dublin Zoo’s animals, their habitats and conservation projects. Modern Zoos, like Dublin Zoo, adhere to strict codes of practice in animal welfare laid down by European and Global Associations. Animals at Dublin Zoo therefore live enriched lives in natural social groups in order to encourage breeding and raising young.
Dublin Zoo is managed by caring, qualified and accredited zoo professionals who devote their lives to the welfare of animals at Dublin Zoo. Dublin Zoo works in partnership with zoos worldwide to conserve bio-diversity on earth and financially supports a variety of conservation projects supporting great apes, tigers, rhinos, golden lion tamarins, African wild dogs and eagles.
Dublin Zoo is easily accessible by bus, LUAS, and train and is open everyday with the exception of Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day (26th December). Admission prices and opening times can all be found on the website. Dublin Zoo is accessible by the less-abled and manual wheel chairs are available on request.
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organization, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm in September, 9.30am to 5.30pm in October and 9.30am to 4pm in November and December. For further information on Dublin Zoo www.facebook.com/dublinzoo, www.dublinzoo.ie