We're all going to the zoo
Visitor numbers at Dublin attraction jump by 20pc to record 900,000
Some of the zoo?s star attractions last year were the birth of the kune kune piglets
More than 900,000 people visited Dublin Zoo last year, marking a 20pc jump on 2006 and the highest number in its 176-year history.
Officials cite the birth of Ireland's first ever baby elephant and a litter of kune kune pigs -- a domestic breed rarely bred successfully in Ireland -- as just some of the highlights that contributed to the record numbers to the Phoenix Park.
Zoo director Leo Oosterweghel said they were hoping for similar success in 2008, with a number of new animal arrivals expected during the year.
"We are absolutely delighted and excited by this unprecedented result,'' he said.
"Dublin Zoo continues to be one of the most popular attractions in the country and the changes that we are implementing in the zoo are transforming it into a world-class facility.
"This achievement was only possible through the combined efforts of the zoo team and dedicated volunteers, working together to ensure that visitors have a good experience,'' Mr Oosterweghel said.
Dublin Zoo made history last May with the birth of baby elephant Asha, marking the first Irish-born elephant and generating huge attention.
Other highlights included the opening in June by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern of the Kaziranga Forest Trail, reminiscent of the great Kaziranga National Park in India. It allows visitors to watch a herd of Asian elephants graze in near natural surroundings.
The births of a baby male giraffe, three rare red river hoglets and the litter of kune kune pigs also raised the zoo's profile.
Keepers are looking forward this year with anticipation as it is believed one of the zoo's rhinos may be pregnant.
It emerged just before Christmas that experts were feeding two cohabiting female white rhinos sparkling glitter to check for indications of pregnancy.
To keep tabs on the hormone levels of the animals, keepers at the zoo -- which is hoping to breed the rhinos -- added blue and silver glitter to their feed to tell their faeces apart for analysis.
And early indications suggest one of the animals, Ashanti, may be pregnant -- big news for the zoo as the last baby white rhino was born in Dublin 14 years ago.
"There is another baby elephant expected and children will love the two newest arrivals -- pygmy marmosets -- tiny monkeys who have just arrived from Belfast Zoo,'' added Mr Oosterweghel.
The 100-year-old Haughton House is being revamped and is due to reopen in the summer featuring an interactive learning centre, a lecture room and a first-floor balcony overlooking the elephant enclosure.
- Colm Kelpie
