Discover the world of the wild at Dublin Zoo
Islands. Dublin Zoo is all about fun, learning and conservation, there is so much to see and do. The Zoo, set in 66 acres within Phoenix Park, is one of Ireland’s top attractions and home to more than 700 species of birds and animals from around the world.Dublin Zoo welcomes over 700,000 visitors each year. Explore the thirty-acre African Plains, which is home to giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, African wild dogs, lions and chimpanzees. Discover World of Cats, World of Primates, and Fringes of the Arctic… and be sure to take a trip on the Nakuru Safari in the African Plains.
The Zoo suffered during the Easter Rising of 1916 as the shortage of meat forced some of the animals to be killed to keep the lions and tigers alive. Fuel shortages during the Second World War also meant cutbacks in heating the tropical houses. Rodrigues fruit bats are one of Dublin Zoo’s endangered species. Fruit bats, as their name suggests, feed on fruit and because of that are very important to the rain forest. Bats cannot digest the seeds and pips of the fruit that they eat and so the seeds leave the bat’s digestive system “wrapped” in fertilizer. Without bats many rain forest trees would not be able to sow their own seeds. Dublin Zoo also has a more formal education programme. This uses the zoo as a resource for young people and adults to learn. Sessions for schools are linked to the syllabus at primary and secondary level. The topics include genetics, art, rain forests and conservation.
Visitors can also explore the zoo’s gift stops, which offer “quality
merchandise raising money” for the continued well-being of Dublin Ireland Zoo. The main gift stop is over 2,000 square feet, and offers the largest range of soft toy animals in Ireland, as well as clothing, arts and crafts supplies, stationery, souvenirs, and photography equipment. Visitors can buy photos and paintings of international animals, as well as many animals of Ireland. The Zoo also has an arts, crafts, and hobbies shop called “Creative Instincts”. In the African Plains section of the zoo (where visitors can gander at beautiful, but certainly non-Ireland animals), Out of Africa stocks a variety of African crafts, souvenirs, and clothing items. Budding zoologists can dine at the newly constructed Meerkat Restaurant, which actually features a Meerkat exhibit within the restaurant. The Stripes Restaurant, among other zoo restaurants, also offers a variety of dining options.
