Some small updates from the park. Building work ongoing in the spider monkey exhibit and in the general monkey island area. All three of the red panda exhibits are now inhabited. Seen one mara. Seems to be very few of them in the park these days. Seems to be some small work going on where the master plan had the bear exhibit. The tropical house remains closed.
I like to think that the bears might be coming this year, if Covid doesn't cause too much delay - I've been waiting years for them to come!
I visited Fota last week with my family and, understandably, it was packed with visitors, though we still had a good time. I initially wanted to wait till after the bears and takin arrive, as I mentioned in my post following my 2019 visit (pg 5 of this thread), but I changed my mind. The biggest change since my last visit was definitely the Madagascan Village as I got my first feel of the area, with the lemur houses on both sides as you walk up towards the visitor hub in front of you. Even though the hub was closed, we could still look through the window, and we could see some tanks for fish and geckos inside. Near the end of our visit, I saw a male Edward's pheasant in the macaw aviary, and I know this species was mentioned in the brochure for the Asian Sanctuary that I got in 2013 (see page 4). I'll soon be uploading some photos from my visit into the gallery, so stay tuned.
1:1 ring-tailed lemurs have been born, the first at the park for 12 years. https://www.fotawildlife.ie/news/fo...wo-baby-ring-tailed-lemur-births-in-12-years/
In July, Fota released 500 natterjack toadlets into their natural habitat at The Maharees, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry. https://www.fotawildlife.ie/news/update-on-the-natterjack-toad-project-at-fota-wildlife-park/ In other news, 3 black-and-white ruffed lemurs were born on 3 June to Cloud and Paraic. https://www.fotawildlife.ie/news/fo...es-three-black-and-white-ruffed-lemur-babies/
The baby black-and-white ruffed lemurs have been named Rufus, Remy and Rahona (Malagasy for cloud). Log into Facebook
2.3 northern cheetah cubs born on 10th August to Grainne and Archie (his first litter). Announcing the birth of five new Endangered Northern cheetah cubs - Fota Wildlife Park
Just walking out the park gates. Lots of work going on still around the spider monkey island. Two new houses have been built in this area too. According to a keeper these are for already resident species. 2? Tapirs I believe left for Ardmore mini zoo during the summer. Tropical house and Madagascar village house still not open.
The cheetah cubs have been named Roy, Sonia, Arlo, Mia and Cora. Two of the Five Endangered Northern Cheetah Cubs at Fota Wildlife Park named after famous Cork sports superstars - Fota Wildlife Park
From Fota’s blog: “The OPW committed €1 million to essential capital infrastructural projects at Fota Wildlife Park. Other ongoing projects under this commitment include the Howler monkey habitat and the flood defence repair to the south sea wall. Construction on the new Spider monkey habitat commenced in early 2020 but was temporarily suspended by the Covid-19 pandemic. The new purpose-built house has been designed with environmental sustainability and animal welfare in mind. The state-of-the-art house features a four-meter-high ceiling that complements the animal’s natural behaviours. The building has underfloor air to water heating and glass viewing areas so visitors may see the Spider monkeys when they are indoors. The upgraded enclosure has been enhanced by extending the island habitat which is bordered by a water moat and accompanied by a new waterfall. Minister Patrick O’Donovan said: “As Minister for the Office of Public Works, I am very pleased that we were able to step in and support Fota Wildlife Park during the exceptionally difficult time of the pandemic. I am delighted to see that the Government funding provided has enabled the progression of several important infrastructure projects and has contributed to the completion of the new Spider Monkey Habitat.” Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, who spoke at the opening said: “I congratulate the management and staff of Fota on this great facility. The extended and upgraded enclosure for these wonderful animals is a testament to the Park’s commitments to animal welfare and to the staff’s determination to recreate in so far as possible, a habitat close to the natural environment of these active monkeys. Fota Wildlife Park is a great day out and a fantastic educational resource for everyone to learn about the importance of conservation.” Sean McKeown, Director of Fota Wildlife Park said: “We are delighted to welcome Ministers O’Donovan and McGrath here today to mark the OPW’s contribution, which has made the continuation of our essential capital infrastructural works possible. The closure of the Park in 2020 due to Covid-19 and the associated loss in income meant that we had to halt or pause some key capital building projects such as the Spider monkey habitat and the south sea wall repair. We’d like to pay huge thanks to the Government and OPW for their commitment to Fota Wildlife Park. “ The southern sea wall refurbishment project is part of climate change mitigation measures that started in 2021 that include raising the sea wall by 400 meters and underpinning the sea wall base. This project alone cost over €630,000 which would not be feasible for Fota Wildlife Park to complete without financial assistance from the OPW.”
For anyone interested Ardmore is quite near to Fota (50km) and has a nice growing collection of wild and domestic animals and birds. It is only open a few years but is a nice place in a good location. It has crested porcupine, capybara, mara, lemurs, chinchilla, prevosts squirrel, corsac fox, coati, 3 owl species, emu and macaw and lots more plus many domestic breeds. Nothing very rare yet but all very nice.
One of a few smaller Irish collections which don’t get discussed at all on here. Such as Secret Valley, the Reptile village, Wild Ireland.
The 2020 annual report for the Zoological Society of Ireland is now available to read here. https://www.dublinzoo.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dublin-Zoo-Annual-Report-2020_sml.pdf Of note, the report mentions that a female sloth arrived from Switzerland at the end of 2020 to pair with the male already present.
A four and a half year old female black and white colobus monkey named Freya has arrived from Zoo la Palmyre to join the resident male colobus. She will be joined by three other females coming from Bojnice zoo, Slovakia, in the coming months. New Female Black and White Colobus Monkey, Freya, arrives. - Fota Wildlife Park
Fota's 10-year development plan has been launched by taoiseach Micheal Martin, with a 30 million euro proposal to become one of Europe's top 10 wildlife parks in terms of conservation. Of particular note, they mention a new Education, Conservation and Research centre that's due to be completed next year, and that the bears will (hopefully) be arriving in 2025. Taoiseach Micheál Martin launches Fota Wildlife Park’s 10 Year Development Plan - Fota Wildlife Park
Fota have donated 320,000 euros (an incredible amount of money!) to the Madagascar pochard breeding programme, including 80,000 euros to establish a captive breeding centre in 2011. Fota Wildlife Park contributes €320,000 to help bring Madagascar Pochard back from extinction - Fota Wildlife Park
