Built in 1830, the Dublin Zoo was nothing what it is now. The purpose of the zoo was to show the people as many different animals as possible, who had not seen anything like it before. In 1844 the zoo received its first giraffe and in 1855 bought its first pair of lions. These bred for the first time in 1857.

The Dublin Zoo houses animals from all over the globe. The zoo is home to the endangered Golden Lion Tamarin, the Moluccan cockatoo and the Rodriques fruit bat. The Dublin Zoo has come a long way and now is the habitat of nearly all the different animals found in different parts of the world. From the moment you set your foot in the zoo, you would feel as if the rhino, hippo, elephant and the lions all await your arrival in their home and are eager to share their life and daily adventures with you. With the wild-like facilities provided by the zoo authorities, the animals are complete at home in their surroundings.

The zoo has education programs as well enlightening all the viewers on the extinction of wild life and the need to take some action regarding it. The education programs are held on two levels; informal and formal. The informal education includes the signs around the zoo; keepers answer questions and tell visitors a little more about the animals. Keeping the animals in naturalistic enclosures that prompt the natural behaviours visitors like to watch and learn about. People learn whilst having fun.

The formal education programme uses the zoo as a resource to teach both students and adults. Formal sessions for schools are structured around the Primary and Secondary school syllabus and topics include genetics, art, rainforests and conservation.

The Education Department also provides a range of activity based learning programmes, summer camps, workshops and activity days. For adults there are a range of lectures and an active retirement programme.

A visit to this haven is a guaranteed treat for all the visitors. So why not come and spend some time with the animals who share our world.