Dublin is the third oldest zoo in the world having opened in 1830. It is a very small zoo of 12 hectares set around a small lake. It holds 170 species including a number of threatened or endangered species, some of which are being successfully bred.
The zoo is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland which relies almost entirely on admission charges, membership fees and sponsorship for its funding.
As in most of the zoos visited, (except Singapore) a shortage of money is obvious as efforts to renovate and modernise the exhibits is limited. The staff are clearly dedicated to the welfare of the animals as the enclosures are clean and the animals look healthy and show little stereotypic behaviour.
The highlight of the visit was the Ring-tailed Lemur which are healthy and active and which are breeding well.
The collection includes.