Elephants today made their first public appearance at Dublin Zoo for almost two years in their new specially designed rainforest enclosure.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern unveiled the Kaziranga Forest Trail habitat, which includes water pools and dense vegetation.
It will be home to the zoo's two new adult Asian elephants, Bernhardine and Yasmin, who have been in quarantine since arriving from Germany earlier this year.
A two-month-old baby born at the Zoo in May has yet to be named.
Elephants are among the most popular animals at the Phoenix Park attraction and are certain to boost visitor numbers in coming weeks.
Mr Ahern said: "zoos like Dublin Zoo are taking a leading role in animal conservation and ensuring, insofar as possible, that our generation and the generations to come can continue to share our planet with a vast array of creatures.
"And in the fight to preserve bio-diversity, there will be a need for commitment, ongoing research, persistence and co-operation between the worldwide network of zoos," he said.
The Taoiseach said the arrival of the new elephant calf and her integration into the herd provides a great opportunity for the zoo staff to gain new insights into the lives and behaviours of these beautiful yet endangered animals.
"With the opening of the Kaziranga Forest Trail, we take another vital step forward in supporting elephants in the wild," he said.
"The herd members may be thousands of miles from their original homeland, but the zoo authorities have created a realistic habitat that is both stimulating and enriching while also meeting their biological needs," he added.