Day in Dublin Zoo
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Day in Dublin Zoo


Dublin Zoo, located in Phoenix Park, is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and was first opened to the public in 1831 by Decimus Burton. It is rated as one of the top visitor attractions in Ireland; the zoo is a great day to enjoy for friends, families, or couples. There's always something new to see every time you visit. It is home to over four hundred different birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and other invertebrates worldwide.


Opening hours


The zoo is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily throughout the year.


How Long Does a Zoo Trip Last?


If you wish, you can take the whole day away when you visit the zoo. The recommended minimum visiting hours is 3 hours, from the Family Farm to the African Plains, to get around and see everything. At the Zoo, there are many food and refreshment stands available and the unique Meerkat restaurant and several picnic areas.


Dublin Zoo Highlights


The zoo describes its functions as conservation, research, and education. Dublin Zoo aims to work in partnership with zoos worldwide to make a significant contribution to the conservation of the endangered species on Earth. It is divided into areas called Asian Forests, Orangutan Forest, The Kaziranga Forest Trail, Fringes of the Arctic, Sea Lion Cove, African Plains, Roberts House, House of Reptiles, City Farm, and South American House as covering over 28 hectares (69 acres) of Phoenix Park. A beautiful flock of peacocks and peahens welcomes you.





African Plains

It is the largest habitat in Dublin Zoo. The area also includes an African-themed restaurant called the Nakuru Cafe and a gift shop. The animals you can see when you visit African Plain are:

  • Oryxes

  • Ostriches

  • White rhinoceroses

  • Zebras

  • Giraffes

  • Gorilla

  • African wild dogs

  • Chimpanzees

  • Hippopotamus

  • African spurred tortoises

  • Abyssinian field hornbills

  • Eastern bongo

  • Red river hogs

  • Okapis.






Fringes of the Arctic


Fringes of the Arctic is a region where species are either marine or living in cold climates. It includes Humboldt penguins, Siberian tigers, California sea lions, and grey wolves.





Zoorasic World


In 1876, Dublin Zoo Reptile House was opened.  It includes reptiles such as Gila monsters, West African crocodiles, masked chameleons, leopard and pancake turtles, plated lizards, Burma pythons, Bell's hinge-back turtles, Asian water monitors, Asian leaf turtles, and East African black mud turtles, as well as invertebrates such as Chilean rose tarantulas and Macleay's spectra.


Zoorasic World was opened as a new home for the zoo reptiles housed in Roberts House in July 2017. You can also see a T.Rex fossil replica.



Asian Forest


Initially opened in 1998, Asian Forests was named "World of Cats" The enclosures consist of a group of three, one housing Asian lions and built to resemble Gir Forest in India (the only country outside of Africa where lions still exist in the wild), and the other housing Sulawesi Macaques, both designed to resemble Sumatra's rainforests.


The Kaziranga Forest Trail


Inaugurated in June 2007. It is the Asian Elephant Centre, named after Kaziranga national park in India. It was named Kaziranga Forest Trail. The animals you can visit are:

  • Elephants

  • Bulls

  • Blackbucks


South American House


The South American House of Dublin Zoo is funded by Kellogg's Coco Pops. It houses different South and Central American species, including:

  • Goeldi's marmosets

  • Golden lion tamarins

  • Two-toed sloths

  • Military macaws

  • Squirrel monkeys

  • Pygmy marmosets

  • Painted wood turtles

  • White-faced saki monkeys


World of Primates


There are many groups of apes and monkeys in the World of primates. In 1996, the show was open to the public. The region consists of a string in a natural lake of handmade islands. The islands range between 15 and 30 square meters and are connected to sleeping places on the lake banks via wooden bridges.

The islands mentioned above are inhabited by

  • Siamang gibbons

  • Red-ruffed lemurs

  • Ring-tailed lemurs

  • Spider monkeys

  • Celebes macaques


Family farms


Family Farm originally opened in 1999 and was redeveloped in 2010. The area is planned to educate the public in modern Irish farming. .The family-run livestock included

  • Greyface Dartmoor

  • Cheviot sheep

  • Tamworth pigs

  • Pygmy goats

  • Australorp chickens

  • Call ducks

  • Indian Runner ducks

  • Holstein Friesian cow

  • Simmental cows

  • Rabbit


Sea Lion Cove


Ireland President Michael D. Higgins introduced the new habitat of the Sea Lion Cove in June 2015. In recent years, Dublin Zoo has made its new salt-water habitat the largest and most exciting creation. It is inspired by the California Sea Lions' natural habitat and includes a state-of-the-art water filtering plant.


Other animals


Other species not included in specific themes in Dublin Zoo include

  • Chilean flamingos

  • South American tapir

  • Red pandas

  • Small egrets

  • Waldrep ibises

  • Meerkats




Have you been to Dublin Zoo before? If so, When did you go and which is your favorite animal? Mine is a Giraffe in the African Plains for sure. I'd love to hear about yours in the comments below. Check out our more WhereandEverywhere travel blogs just click on the "Travel Blogs"

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