Fota Wildlife Park, Cork Ireland
Fota Wildlife Park, just 10 miles from Cork on the Cobh road, is among the most modern wildlife parks in Europe.
Established in 1983 with the primary aim of conservation Fota has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings with no obvious barriers. Giraffes, zebras, ostrich and antelope roam together in 40 acres of grassland, much as they would in the African savannah, monkeys swing through trees on lake islands, while kangaroos, macaws and lemurs have complete freedom of the Park. Only the cheetahs have a conventional fence. A great many of the species at Fota are under serious threat in the wild. Only c. 10,000 cheetahs remain in their natural habitat and Fota Wildlife Park is the world's leading breeder of this endangered species. Also being bred at Fota is the Scimitar horned Oryx brought to the brink of extinction but being re-introduced in its native North Africa; the Lion tailed Macaque of which only c. 800 remain in a tiny patch of Indian forest; and many other species for which wildlife parks such as Fota are their only chance of survival. The White tailed Sea Eagle became extinct in Ireland in the early 1900's but is now being re-introduced to the wild in Kerry. This magnificent bird of prey is held for breeding at Fota, where they can be seen by visitors. Just beside the Wildlife Park is the internationally renowned Fota Arboretum, which has a beautiful collection of trees and shrubs, from all over the world, including China, Japan, Australia and the Himalayas.
FOTA Wildlife Park is not like an ordinary zoo. Wherever possible they have chosen animals that thrive in a free-range environment, which allows them to roam free, while mixed with other species and with us human visitors!
These species are also able to adjust to the Irish Climate. The animals themselves make the choice of seeking shelter when necessary. In some cases, for example the giraffes, only a barrier separates visitors from the animals but this is always unobtrusive and does not reduce the animals' quality of life.
Established in 1983 with the primary aim of conservation Fota has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings with no obvious barriers. Giraffes, zebras, ostrich and antelope roam together in 40 acres of grassland, much as they would in the African savannah, monkeys swing through trees on lake islands, while kangaroos, macaws and lemurs have complete freedom of the Park. Only the cheetahs have a conventional fence. A great many of the species at Fota are under serious threat in the wild. Only c. 10,000 cheetahs remain in their natural habitat and Fota Wildlife Park is the world's leading breeder of this endangered species. Also being bred at Fota is the Scimitar horned Oryx brought to the brink of extinction but being re-introduced in its native North Africa; the Lion tailed Macaque of which only c. 800 remain in a tiny patch of Indian forest; and many other species for which wildlife parks such as Fota are their only chance of survival. The White tailed Sea Eagle became extinct in Ireland in the early 1900's but is now being re-introduced to the wild in Kerry. This magnificent bird of prey is held for breeding at Fota, where they can be seen by visitors. Just beside the Wildlife Park is the internationally renowned Fota Arboretum, which has a beautiful collection of trees and shrubs, from all over the world, including China, Japan, Australia and the Himalayas.
