5 Things to Know About Dublin Zoo

We went to visit Dublin Zoo (again!) recently, and it really is a great day out for all ages – not surprising that they attract almost one million visitors each year.

Here are five interesting things you may not know about Dublin Zoo:

1. It’s Old
Opened in 1831, Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It has changed radically from the days when animals were caged exhibits, and now the focus is on conservation, animal welfare and authentic recreations of habitats.
This makes for a wonderful visitor experience, as a walk around the different areas is like walking around the planet, with changing vegetation, animals and atmosphere. Even the area names, such as “Kaziranga Forest Trail”, “Fringes of the Arctic” and “African Plains” evoke the exotic.

2. Hollywood Connections

The fearsome lion that roars at the beginning and end of early Metro Goldwyn Meyer movie was born in Dublin Zoo in 1919. The lion, called Slats, was used on all MGM films from 1924 to 1928.

3. Exceptional Surroundings
Dublin Zoo is situated in the Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces within any European capital city. Established in 1662, about 30% of the Park is covered with trees, and it is a sanctuary for many animals, including a herd of deer.
Other sights to visit within the Park are the Wellington Testimonial, Papal Cross, Magazine Fort and Aras an Uachtarain, the residence of the President of Ireland.

4. It’s a Boy!
Several days after his birth on 27th March, zookeepers were able to ascertain that the baby western lowland gorilla born in the zoo is a boy! His birth is another great success for Dublin Zoo as part of the European breeding programme for these critically endangered primates.
Check out this heart-warming video of the arrival of the (for the moment) teeny gorilla:

Dublin Zoo Baby Gorilla Video

5. No Need to Queue
We recommend pre-booking Dublin Zoo, especially at the weekends or for groups. We forgot to do this on our last visit and spent 40 minutes queuing while the canny pre-bookers glided past us in the fast track lane.
Best of all, we can organise pre-booking for your group at discounted prices – just let us know when you’re coming to visit!