DUBLIN ZOO: AN UNPRECEDENTED baby boom at Dublin Zoo is set to draw a record one million visitors this year for the first time in the zoo's 177-year history.
A total of 905,000 people entered the Phoenix Park attraction in 2007, but the patter of heavy feet has boosted interest among families and schools so far in 2008. The past year has seen the arrival of two young giraffes, a white rhino baby and a Californian sea lion calf.
In coming weeks the veritable animal creche is expected to see the arrival of a gorilla, a snow leopard and up to a dozen flamingos. "Everybody loves babies even if they weigh 70kg when they are born," said one zookeeper. "The baby boom has generated a lot of media coverage and public interest."
Last year saw the first elephant born in the Republic of Ireland - Asha - and a purpose-built habitat, the Kaziranga Forest Trail, was later built for the zoo's Asian elephants. The run-down Haughton House is being refurbished and will reopen this year as a learning and discovery centre. The structure will feature a wooden veranda from which the Kaziranga trail can be viewed.
The zoo's sister facility, Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork, saw 362,000 visitors last year, a 21 per cent increase on 2006.
- (PA)