A number of endangered species were among 90 animals that died at Fota Wildlife Park during 2023.
The animals included a male lion, a critically endangered female tiger, and two ring-tailed lemurs. Two cheetahs, a pair of eastern grey kangaroos, and four European bison, the Irish Mirror reports.
A total of 25 animals died at Dublin Zoo during the same period, according to the latest annual report from the Zoological Society of Ireland, which operates both locations.
A critically endangered axolotl also died at Fota Wildlife Park in 2023, along with five southern lechwes – an endangered species of African antelope. The animal deaths also included two meerkats and a pair of Humboldt penguins.
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The 90 deaths at the Cork attraction represented an increase of more than one-third after 66 deaths were recorded in 2022. The number of animals that died at Dublin Zoo during that year was 33.
An inspection report from October 2023, which was obtained by the Irish Mirror under freedom of information laws, was generally very positive about conditions at Fota Wildlife Park.
However, the renewal of its zoo licence was made conditional on a new SIM card being installed in the electric fence management warning system for the lion and tiger enclosures, which is designed to alert staff in the event of a failure in the electric fences.
Other animals that died at Fota Wildlife Park in 2023 included an endangered golden mantella frog, a red-necked wallaby, and a lion-tailed macaque, which is an endangered species of monkey.
Fota Wildlife Park did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokesman for Dublin Zoo earlier told the Irish Mirror that the number of deaths at the facility was in line with mortality rates in the wild.
“As in the wild, animals also die in human care. In every situation, the best of veterinary care and attention is given. We mourn the loss of every animal,” he said.
“Dublin Zoo prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of animal care, a commitment by our diligent and passionate staff. Our efforts are routinely acknowledged both nationally and internationally, without first-class animal welfare and care programmes being independently audited and heralded.”