Retour á Paris: Diables de Tasmanie, Dinosaures et Plus
The first full week of the year was a big one for me, as it was my first time ever travelling abroad on my own. In all the years I had left Ireland on a trip, I was always with … Continued
Adventures in London: From Dinosaurs to Curious Creatures
Towards the end of April, my mother and I flew to London for the first time in 13 years. Our main places of interest during our 2-night stay were ZSL London Zoo, the Natural History Museum, and Crystal Palace Park. While we … Continued
Wild Days in Donegal (Part 2)
For the last weekend of July, my family and I embarked on our second trip to Donegal in three years, as we wanted to visit Wild Ireland again to see the bears and other animals as well as the changes made … Continued
Andrewsarchus – A Most Mysterious Mammal
If you know me well, you will know that I have a huge passion for animals and wildlife, but did you know that I also have a special interest in prehistoric wildlife? Ever since I was 9, I have been … Continued
Lost and Found in Belfast Zoo – a simple 2D animation
This is the first 2D animation that I created, based on my frequent visits to Belfast Zoo. Ever since I first visited Belfast Zoo at age 11, I have been drawing pictures of the animals at the zoo in cartoon … Continued
A Weekend on Cape Clear
This post is a continuation from my previous blog post documenting our amazing time going whale-watching, as immediately after, I was about to embark on another exciting adventure in West Cork. The day after our extraordinary trip where we got … Continued
An Incredible Cork Whale Watching Experience
I’ve just come back from a week spent down in West Cork with my family, and I must say I was really happy with how our holiday turned out! Thursday was easily the best day of the week as the … Continued
My First Ever Badgers
11 July 2022 – It was 20:50pm, and Dad and I left the house to pick up my sister. As we had time before my sister’s arrival, we decided to drive into the Phoenix Park for some wildlife-watching, so we … Continued
Taking Trains and Boarding Boats in Cork
Recently, I had an all-new experience, as I learned how to take the train from Dublin all the way down to Cork. I have taken the train from Dublin to Belfast before, but never to Cork. From Cork train station, … Continued
My birthday week in Edinburgh
Last week, I had what may well have been the best birthday I have ever had. My family and I stayed in Edinburgh for three nights, specifically to celebrate my 21st, and to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang the … Continued
Wild in Cork
I’ve just come back from a week-long trip down to Cork with my family, which saw us visiting Fota Wildlife Park and a number of nature reserves while we were staying in a cottage in Dunmanway. We were hoping to … Continued
How to find Ireland’s amazing wildlife
I have just completed a project that I’ve spent the last year and a half working on, called ‘How to find Ireland’s amazing wildlife’. Inspired by a trip to Glendalough during the Easter break last year, it is filled with tips … Continued
Wild days in Donegal
posted in: Adventure, Birds, Carnivores, Hoofed mammals, Other Mammals, Primates, Reptiles and Amphibians, Wildlife, Zoos |
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I’ve just come back from a family holiday in County Donegal, and now I’ve come to write a review about the two zoos we visited there: Wild Ireland and Tropical World. It was Wednesday, the 5th of August, and my … Continued
Secret Valley Wildlife Park
I first heard about this wildlife park in Co. Wexford from looking on the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (BIAZA) website and seeing all of their member zoos and aquaria in Ireland. BIAZA also published an article … Continued
Our trip to Scotland
Below is a detailed review of me and my parents’ recent trip to Scotland. It was a very interesting and successful holiday influenced by Dad having a conference in Glasgow, with highlights including getting to hand-feed reindeer in the Cairngorms, … Continued
Natura Artis Magistra
My Dad and I visited this zoo in Amsterdam earlier this month, after we arrived in the Netherlands for Dad’s conference in Rotterdam. Called Artis for short, it somewhat reminds me of the Menagerie du Jardin des plantes in Paris, … Continued
Diergaarde Blijdorp
My Mum and I visited this Dutch zoo on Tuesday. We had come to the Netherlands this month because Dad had a two-day conference in Rotterdam. Diergaarde Blijdorp, also called Rotterdam zoo, first opened in 1857 and is one of … Continued
SeaLife Bray
Why don’t we talk about an animal-related institution that’s closer to home? I have visited the SeaLife centre in Bray, Co. Wicklow, a few times as a child, and since moving to Bray after my 17th, it is possible for … Continued
Galway Atlantaquaria
My family and I visited this aquarium in Galway just before New Year’s Eve of 2017. The aquarium’s collection consists predominantly of species that can be found off the coasts of Ireland, as well as species from all around the … Continued
My birthday weekend in Belfast
Friday was my birthday, and for my birthday, my parents and I went to Belfast zoo! I was lucky to meet education officer, John Fisher, who was with me at the summer camp 4 years ago, and keeper, Raymond Robinson. One … Continued
Zoorassic World at Dublin Zoo
On Sunday morning, Dad and I stepped into Dublin zoo’s newest attraction, Zoorassic world, a refurbishment of the old Robert’s house which features a T-rex skeleton named Stan, along with other Mesozoic creatures and several species of living reptile. Stan is … Continued
My work experience week
It was the end of my work experience on Friday! Want to hear where I worked? On Monday and Friday, I worked at the Mutz Nutz pet store which is near my school. There, I worked with rabbits and guinea pigs, cleaning … Continued
The Zoos and Natural History Museums of Paris
On Saturday, my parents and I went to stay at an apartment in Paris. We stayed for 2 days before flying home to Dublin on Monday. During my stay, we visited the two zoos, Parc Zoologique de Paris, and Menagerie du … Continued
Our Portugese Holiday 2016
At the end of May 2016, my family and I flew to Algarve in the south of Portugal for my uncle’s wedding. We stayed in an apartment for a week where I studied in preparation for the junior cert using … Continued
Trinity College Zoological Museum
The Natural History Museum at Merrion Square, Dublin, has been one of my favourite places to visit ever since childhood (excluding pandemic years). However, it is not the only museum of its kind in the city, as literally a stone’s throw away stands the … Continued
Our Kerry Holiday 2015
It was July of 2015, and my family and I visited Coolwood Wildlife Park in Co. Kerry, which was home to animals you would expect to see at any petting zoo, including lemurs, raccoons, owls, prairie dogs, New World monkeys, parrots, … Continued
Our Visit to France 2006
I first visited France back in 2006, when I was just 5, and this was the first time I had ever left my native Ireland. At the beginning of our trip, we first stayed in Paris at an apartment next to … Continued
National Reptile Zoo
Dubbed “Ireland’s only reptile zoo”, the National Reptile Zoo is located in Co. Kilkenny, and is home to all kinds of reptiles, including American alligators, red-footed tortoises, Asian water monitors, rhinoceros iguanas, king cobras, alligator snapping turtles and anacondas. There … Continued
Curraghs Wildlife Park
The Isle of Man’s only zoo, Curraghs Wildlife Park was opened in 1965, and covers an area of 26 acres in the Ballaugh Curraghs, an area of wetland. Among the species kept here are red pandas, raccoons, Humboldt penguins, Brazilian … Continued
Welsh Mountain Zoo
Located in Colwyn Bay in the north of Wales, Welsh Mountain Zoo is also known as the National Zoo of Wales, being the first zoo to be opened here in 1963 by Robert Jackson, a wildlife enthusiast and naturalist. The zoo … Continued
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures Resort, near the city of London, was originally opened in 1931 as Chessington Zoo. A theme park was later developed alongside the zoo and opened in 1987 as one of Britain’s first amusement parks. Today, the … Continued
The Natural History Museum in London
London’s Natural History Museum is perhaps one of the most famous museums of its kind in the world, and one of London’s biggest tourist attractions, welcoming over five million visitors each year. Opened in 1881 but not separated from the … Continued
Ulster Museum
Arguably my favourite place to visit in Belfast after the zoo, the Ulster Museum is situated within the Belfast Botanic Gardens. I first visited the museum in 2012, and since then I have been visiting rather infrequently, I would say … Continued
Emerald Park
Since its opening in late 2010, Ireland’s only theme park and zoo is located within Ashbourne in County Meath. It used to be called Tayto park, after the factory where the popular Tayto brand of crisps is produced, and thus had a … Continued
Tierpark Hellabrunn
We visited this zoo in Munich in August 2010 on our first and so far only visit to Germany. It is the first zoo, as far as I can remember, where I saw my first bears. They were polar bears, … Continued
Chester Zoo
This is definitely one of the United Kingdom’s most popular zoos, opened in 1934. We visited in August 2014, during a stay in Wales (Chester is close to the border with Wales). The elephants were the first animals we came … Continued
ZSL London Zoo
London Zoo is perhaps one of the world’s best known zoos, and also one of oldest. It officially opened in 1828 to fellows of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), with its original purpose being a place for scientific research. … Continued
Natural History Museum, Dublin
Based at Merrion Square, Dublin’s Natural History Museum is what I would consider my local museum (along with another, rather less well-known museum) and I have visited on a regular basis since I was very young. Sometimes referred to as “The Dead … Continued
Highland Wildlife Park
I went to this Scottish wildlife park in August 2012, just three days after my Edinburgh zoo visit. Opened in 1972, it is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) which also runs Edinburgh. There are no elephants … Continued
Edinburgh zoo
I visited this zoo in August 2012, and for a very obvious reason! I came to see the two giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang. There were other creatures there that my family and I had not seen before, … Continued
Fota Wildlife Park
I first visited Fota wildlife park in Cork when I was 5, and continued to visit every 1-2 years since. Perhaps the largest zoo in Ireland at 100 acres, the park has very spacious enclosures for its animals compared to … Continued
Belfast Zoo
Perhaps one of my favourite zoos that I’ve visited, I first learned about Belfast zoo when I was 11, and I have been coming up at least once every year. It might feel like your feet are killing you while … Continued
Dublin Zoo
My hometown zoo, Dublin Zoo, is a very special place as it is one of the oldest zoos in the world, opening all the way back in 1831. I have been a member for many years, and I used to … Continued
Bottlenose dolphin
Scientific name: Tursiops truncatus Irish name: Deilf bolgshronach Size: 2.3-3.8m; males tend to be a little larger than females Diet: Carnivore Tips on how to find them: When looking out to sea, look out for a tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin; a … Continued
Common frog
International name: European common frog Scientific name: Rana temporaria Irish name: Frog; Ioscán Length: 5-10cm Diet: Carnivore Tips on how to find them: The most widespread of Ireland’s three amphibian species; best found in areas with water, be it a pond, ditch … Continued
Common lizard
Scientific name: Zootoca vivipara Irish name: Iaghairt bheobhreitheach Diet: Carnivore Size: 10-15cm Tips on how to find them: Lizards are small and are well-camouflaged against mosses and grass, so look carefully and scan potential areas; search between March and October, … Continued
Fulmar
International name: Northern fulmar Scientific name: Fulmarus glacialis Irish name: Fulmaire Diet: Carnivore Size: 45-51cm Tips on how to find them: Resident year-round all around the Irish coast; plentiful on the east coast but more abundant on the west coast.
Fallow deer
Scientific name: Dama dama Irish name: Fia buí Size: 1.3-1.6m Diet: Herbivore Tips on how to find them: The Phoenix park is perhaps the easiest place to see this species, the most widespread deer in Ireland.
Great crested grebe
Scientific name: Podiceps cristatus Irish name: Foitheach mór Diet: Carnivore Size: 46-51cm Tips on how to find them: Widespread throughout Ireland, particularly in the north (Lough Neagh is a good place to find them); look for them in wetlands with emerging … Continued
Great spotted woodpecker
Scientific name: Dendrocopos major Irish name: Mórchnagaire breac Size: 23-25cm Diet: Mainly carnivore; will also take peanuts from bird feeders Tips on how to find them: Search in old woodland with dead trees; listen out for the woodpecker’s famous ‘drumming’ … Continued
Grey seal
Scientific name: Halichoerus grypus Irish name: Rón mór Length: 1.7-2.3m Diet: carnivore Tips on how to find them: Not a difficult species to see; greatest numbers are along Ireland’s west coast.
Hedgehog
International name: European hedgehog Scientific name: Erinaceus europaeus Irish name: Gráinneog Diet: Omnivore Size: 20-30cm Tips on how to find them: Best to look between April and October when they are out of hibernation; most likely to be seen around dusk; droppings often appear … Continued
Irish hare
International name: Mountain hare Scientific name: Lepus timidus hibernicus Irish name: Giorria sléibhe Éireannach Diet: Herbivore Size: 50-65cm long Tips on how to find them: Can be found throughout Ireland in various habitats; smaller than the introduced brown hare; mainly nocturnal, but can … Continued
Jay
International name: Eurasian jay Scientific name: Garrulus glandarius Irish name: Scréachóg Size: 33-37cm Diet: Omnivore Tips on how to find them: Identified by distinctly coloured plumage; found mainly in deciduous forests; in Autumn, they collect acorns to store for winter, which might … Continued
Kingfisher
International name: Common kingfisher, Eurasian kingfisher Scientific name: Alcedo atthis Irish name: Cruidín Size: 16-17 cm Diet: Carnivore Tips on how to find them: When looking over a river or other water body, keep your eyes peeled for a small, fast-moving, … Continued
Little egret
Scientific name: Egretta garzetta Irish name: Éigrit bheag Size: 55-65cm long Diet: Carnivore Tips on how to find them: Found closer to the coast than inland; can be found in any type of wetland habitat.
Little tern
Scientific name: Sternula albifrons Irish name: Geabhróg bheag Size: 24-27cm Diet: Carnivore Tips on how to find them: Call includes a loud, rasping sound; can be seen hovering over the water in mid-air as it looks for fish; breeds in … Continued
Orca (Killer whale)
Scientific name: Orcinus orca Irish name: An Chráin dhubh Diet: Carnivore Size: Up to 9m for males, 7.9m for females Tips on how to find them: Tallest dorsal fin of any cetacean; unmistakable white underside and patch behind eye; may be … Continued
Red squirrel
International name: Eurasian red squirrel Scientific name: Sciurus vulgaris Irish name: Iora rua Diet: Omnivore, but largely herbivore Size: 20-25cm Tips on how to find them: Look up at the trees, as red squirrels spend most of their time in the … Continued
Alligator, American
Scientific name: Alligator mississipiensis Length: Up to 5m Origin: North America Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Habitat degradation, climate change, historically poaching Zoos I have seen them: National Reptile Zoo, Zoomarine Interesting fact: The alligator became increasingly rare in … Continued
Anteater, Giant
Scientific name: Myrmecophaga tridactyla Origin: South America Size: 1-2m Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Hunting for food, conversion of habitat to agriculture, fires (both natural and caused by humans) Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Chester Zoo, … Continued
Axolotl
Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum Size: 10-30cm Origin: North America (Mexico) Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Critically Endangered Threats: Pollution of its habitat, capture for the pet trade Zoos I have seen them: National Reptile Zoo, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes. Also saw … Continued
Aye-aye
Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis Size: 30-40cm long, tail about 60cm Origin: Africa (Madagascar) Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Deforestation, inaccurate folk belief (some Malagasy people consider it a sign of evil and death) Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, London Zoo Interesting fact: … Continued
Babirusa, North Sulawesi
Scientific name: Babyrousa celebensis Length: 85-110cm Origin: Asia (Sulawesi) Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Overhunting by humans, deforestation Zoos I have seen them: Chester Zoo, London Zoo Interesting fact: Although babirusas were, until 2002, considered a single species, Babyrousa babyrussa, that … Continued
Bear, Andean (or spectacled)
Scientific name: Tremarctos ornatus Origin: South America Size: 1.3-1.9m Diet: Omnivore but mostly herbivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Conversion of forests to agriculture, leading to conflict with people; hunted for food and for use of its parts in traditional medicine Zoos … Continued
Bear, Brown
Scientific name: Ursus arctos Origin: North America and Eurasia Diet: Omnivore Size: 1.5-2.8m IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Human-bear conflicts resulting from raids on crops or livestock, poaching, habitat fragmentation Zoos I have seen them: Tierpark Hellabrunn, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, … Continued
Bear, Polar
Scientific name: Ursus maritimus Size: 1.8-2.8m Origin: Arctic Ocean, North America (Canada) and Russia Diet: Omnivore, but mostly carnivorous IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Melting of sea ice resulting from global warming, water pollution, hunting for food and fur Zoos I have … Continued
Bear, Sun
Scientific name: Helarctos malayanus Size: 1.2-1.5m Origin: Asia Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Deforestation (in Sumatra and Borneo, conversion of forests to palm oil plantations); hunted for use of its parts in traditional medicine, and for the pet trade Zoos … Continued
Bison
Scientific names: Bison bison (American) and Bison bonasus (European) Size: 1.8-2m for the American bison, 1.8-2.2m for the European bison Origin: North America and Europe respectively Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Near Threatened (both species) Threats: Overhunting, loss of habitat to agriculture Zoos I … Continued
Cassowary, Southern
Scientific name: Casuarius casuarius Origin: Australasia (New Guinea and Northern Australia) Size: 1.5-1.8m Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Hunting, deforestation, cyclones (in Australia) Zoos I have seen them: Edinburgh Zoo, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, Natura Artis Magistra Interesting fact: … Continued
Chameleon, Panther
Scientific name: Furcifer pardalis Origin: Africa (Madagascar, but introduced to Réunion and Mauritius) Origin: 40-52cm Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: No current threats to this species Zoos I have seen them: Parc Zoologique de Paris, Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo, Tropical World … Continued
Chimpanzee
Scientific name: Pan troglodytes Size: 64-94cm Origin: Africa Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Deforestation, hunting for bushmeat, diseases such as Ebola Zoos I have seen them: Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Chester, Welsh Mountain Zoo, La Vallée des Singes, Amsterdam Interesting fact: … Continued
Clouded Leopard
Scientific name: Neofelis nebulosa Origin: Asia Size: 70-110cm Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Deforestation, hunting for the illegal wildlife trade Zoos I have seen them: Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes Interesting fact: There is a second species found in Sumatra and … Continued
Crane, Red-crowned
Scientific name: Grus japonensis Origin: Asia Diet: Omnivore Size: 1.4-1.5m IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Habitat loss, human disturbance, pollution, poaching Zoos I have seen them: Emerald Park, Diergaarde Blijdorp Interesting fact: In China, the red-crowned crane is viewed as a symbol … Continued
Dog, African Wild
Scientific name: Lycaon pictus Origin: Africa Size: 85-140cm Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Poaching, diseases contracted from domestic dogs Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo (gone), Edinburgh Zoo (gone), Chester Zoo, ZSL London Zoo, Natura Artis Magistra Interesting … Continued
Dog, Common raccoon
Scientific name: Nyctereutes procyonoides Origin: Asia (introduced to Europe) Length: 50-71cm Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Persecution, diseases, collisions with vehicles Zoos I have seen them: Coolwood Wildlife Park Interesting fact: The raccoon dog is the only canid that hibernates … Continued
Eagle-owl, Bengal
Scientific name: Bubo bengalensis Length: 50-56cm Origin: Asia (Indian subcontinent) Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: No current threats to this species Zoos I have seen them: Coolwood Wildlife Park, Diergaarde Blijdorp. Also at the Birds of Prey centre in Russborough … Continued
Elephant, African bush
Scientific name: Loxodonta africana Origin: Africa Size: 3-3.6 metres in height Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Poaching for its tusks, loss and fragmentation of habitat leading to conflict with humans, climate change Zoos I have seen them: Blair Drummond Safari Park Interesting … Continued
Elephant, Asian
Scientific name: Elephas maximus Origin: Asia Size: 2-3.6 metres in height Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Loss of habitat leading to conflict with people, poaching for the male’s tusks Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo, Tierpark Hellabrunn, … Continued
Flamingo, Chilean
Scientific name: Phoenicopterus chilensis Origin: South America Height: 1-1.3m Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Near Threatened Threats: Hunting, intensive egg-harvesting, mining Zoos I have seen them: Dublin, Belfast, Fota, Edinburgh, Chester, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Natura Artis Magistra Interesting fact: What looks like the … Continued
Gorilla, Western
Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla Origin: Africa Diet: Omnivore, but mostly herbivore Size: 1.3-1.7m IUCN status: Critically Endangered Threats: Deforestation, poaching for bushmeat, Ebola virus contracted from humans Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo, La Vallée des Singes, ZSL … Continued
Hippopotamus, pygmy
Scientific name: Choeropsis liberiensis Origin: Africa (mostly Liberia) Size: 1.5-1.75m Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Deforestation, poaching for bushmeat Zoos I have seen them: ZSL London Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Diergaarde Blijdorp Interesting fact: Dublin zoo may have been the … Continued
Horse, Przewalski’s
Scientific name: Equus ferus przewalskii Origin: Asia Size: 2.2-2.8m long Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Hybridisation with domestic horses; historically hunting and habitat loss Zoos I have seen them: Highland Wildlife Park, Welsh Mountain Zoo, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes. … Continued
Kangaroo, Eastern Grey
Scientific name: Macropus giganteus Origin: Australia Size: 0.9-1.4m Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Currently no major threats to this species Zoos I have seen them: Fota Wildlife Park, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes Interesting fact: This species can jump … Continued
Kangaroo, Red
Scientific name: Osphranter rufus Size: 1-1.6m Origin: Australia Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Currently no major threats to this species Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo Interesting fact: In the Australian desert, when the weather gets too hot, the … Continued
Kea
Scientific name: Nestor notabilis Origin: Australasia (New Zealand) Size: 48cm Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Persecution over attacks on sheep, habitat loss, introduced species such as stoats and cats, climate change Zoos I have seen them: Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, … Continued
Koala
Scientific name: Phascolarctos cinereus Origin: Australia Size: 65-82cm Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Habitat loss, bushfires, disease, climate change Zoos I have seen them: Edinburgh Zoo Interesting fact: The name ‘Koala’ is aboriginal for ‘no drink’, and refers to the … Continued
Komodo Dragon
Scientific name: Varanus komodoensis Length: Up to 3 metres Diet: Carnivore Origin: Asia (Indonesia) IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Human-induced burning of natural grasslands, loss of prey species, climate change Zoos I have seen them: London, Chester, Natura Artis Magistra, Diergaarde Blijdorp Interesting … Continued
Lemur, Ring-tailed
Scientific name: Lemur catta Origin: Africa (Madagascar) Size: 95-110cm Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Habitat loss, hunting, capture for the pet trade Zoos I have seen them: Countless… Interesting fact: Nearly all of Madagascar’s 105 existing lemur species are threatened … Continued
Manatee, West Indian
Scientific name: Trichechus manatus Origin: North America and South America Length: 3-4.6m long Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Zoos I have seen them: Parc Zoologique de Paris Threats: Pollution, collisions with powerboats, hunting, habitat degradation Interesting fact: Although they resemble walruses, … Continued
Mandrill
Scientific name: Mandrillus sphinx Size: 55-110cm Diet: Omnivore Origin: Africa IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Deforestation, poaching for bushmeat Zoos I have seen them: La Vallee des Singes, Tierpark Hellabrunn, Chester Zoo, Natura Artis Magistra Interesting fact: The largest of the … Continued
Okapi
Scientific name: Okapia johnstoni Size: 2.5 meters long Origin: Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo) Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Deforestation, poaching for its meat and skin Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, London Zoo, Chester Zoo, Diergaarde Blijdorp Interesting … Continued
Orangutan, Bornean
Scientific name: Pongo pygmaeus Origin: Asia (Borneo) Size: 1.1-1.4m Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Critically endangered Threats: Conversion of rainforests to palm oil plantations, poaching for its meat and for the illegal pet trade Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Chester … Continued
Ostrich, Common
Scientific name: Struthio camelus Origin: Africa Size: 1.7-2.7 metres high Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Currently no major threats to this species Zoos I have seen them: Quite a lot. Interesting fact: What looks like an ostrich sticking its … Continued
Panda, Giant
Scientific name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca Origin: Asia (China) Size: 1.6-1.9m Diet: Omnivore, but mostly herbivore (it eats mostly bamboo shoots) IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Conversion of bamboo forests for agriculture, climate change, historically hunting for its fur Zoos I have seen them: … Continued
Panda, Red
Scientific name: Ailurus fulgens Origin: Asia Size: 50-64cm long (excluding tail) Diet: Omnivore, but mostly herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Deforestation, hunting for its fur Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo, Fota Wildlife Park, Highland Wildlife Park, Ménagerie … Continued
Penguin, Humboldt
Scientific name: Spheniscus humboldti Size: 65-70cm Origin: South America Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Pollution, predation of eggs by introduced species (such as rats), overfishing of its fish prey, climate change Zoos I have seen them: Dublin, Fota, Belfast (gone), … Continued
Rhinoceros, White
Scientific name: Ceratotherium simum Length: 3.7-4m Origin: Africa Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Near Threatened Threats: Poaching for the horn, climate change Zoos I have seen them: Dublin, Paris, Blair Drummond Safari Park Interesting fact: Apparently, the white rhino derives its name … Continued
Roller, Lilac-breasted
Scientific name: Coracias caudatus Size: 32-36cm Origin: Africa Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: No current threats to this species Zoos I have seen them: Belfast, Chester, Natura Artis Magistra, Camperdown Wildlife Centre Interesting fact: The rollers (which are related … Continued
Secretarybird
Scientific name: Sagittarius serpentarius Origin: Africa Diet: Carnivore Size: 1.3-1.5m IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Habitat loss, competition with livestock, hunting Zoos I have seen them: Emerald Park, Diergaarde Blijdorp Interesting fact: The secretarybird is featured as the emblem of Sudan, and also … Continued
Snow Leopard
Scientific name: Panthera uncia Origin: Asia Size: 0.9-1.2m Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Loss of prey (wild sheep and goats) as a result of poaching and depredation on livestock, hunting for the fur trade Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Welsh … Continued
Starling, Bali
Scientific name: Leucopsar rothschildi Origin: Asia (Bali) Size: 25cm long Diet: Omnivore IUCN status: Critically Endangered Threats: Illegal capture for the cage-bird trade, habitat loss Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo, Chester Zoo, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, Edinburgh Zoo, … Continued
Tamarin, Golden Lion
Scientific name: Leontopithecus rosalia Origin: South America (Brazil) Diet: Omnivore Size: 30cm, tail up to 40cm IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Habitat loss through deforestation Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, Belfast Zoo, La Vallée des Singes, Ménagerie du Jardin des … Continued
Tapir, Malayan
Scientific name: Tapirus indicus Origin: Asia Size: Up to 2.4m Diet: Herbivore IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Loss of forests to agriculture, including palm oil plantations; hunted for meat Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Chester Zoo, Diergaarde Blijdorp, … Continued
Tasmanian Devil
Scientific name: Sarcophilus harrisii Size: 52-80cm Diet: Carnivore Origin: Australasia (Tasmania) IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), traffic, attacks by dogs and introduced foxes, persecution Zoos I have seen them: Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes Interesting fact: The … Continued
Tortoise, Galápagos Giant
Scientific name: Chelonoidis niger Origin: South America (Galápagos islands) Diet: Herbivore Size: 1.2 metres long IUCN status: Vulnerable Threats: Hunted for its meat, competition with introduced species Zoos I have seen them: ZSL London Zoo, Chester Zoo (?), Diergaarde Blijdorp Interesting … Continued
Tree-kanagaroo, Goodfellow’s
Scientific name: Dendrolagus goodfellowi Size: 52-80cm Diet: Herbivore Origin: Australasia (New Guinea) IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Deforestation, hunting for food Zoos I have seen them: Belfast Zoo, Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes Interesting fact: The generic name ‘Dendrolagus‘, meaning ‘tree hare’ … Continued
Wolf, Grey
Scientific name: Canis lupus Length: 1-1.5m Origin: North America and Eurasia Diet: Carnivore IUCN status: Least Concern Threats: Persecution as a result of depredation on livestock, exaggerated public perception of the species, habitat fragmentation Zoos I have seen them: Dublin Zoo, … Continued
Zebra, Grevy’s
Scientific name: Equus grevyi Size: 2.5-2.75m long Diet: Herbivore Origin: Africa IUCN status: Endangered Threats: Habitat loss, competition with livestock, hunting Zoos I have seen them: Edinburgh, Chester, Paris, Natura Artis Magistra Interesting fact: This largest member of the horse … Continued