This zoo was huge and had so many great things for kids. It is an easy to navigate zoo with basically one main walkway in a figure eight. Lots of great animals and the staff was so nice to our kids. There were two ladies showing my kids the orangutan exhibit and a mold of their hands, feet, and skulls and were very engaging. Would definitely come again, even though the prices are a little expensive but everything in Dublin is. read more

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What a lovely Zoo! Never know what to expect from Zoos in other countries, but I really loved the zoo here! Everything was so well kept up, clean, modern, and very beautiful. Animal welfare seemed to be kept paramount. The exhibits were well kept. I honestly have never seen so many animals out and active at any other zoo before, it was amazing!! We saw Wolves like less than 10 feet away it was amazing! If you love animals I would highly recommend to come here!! read more

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I love visiting zoos in different countries and Dublin has done a phenomenal job with their zoo. The exhibits are top notch here. The entire zoo is beautiful and grounds are nicely kept. We spent about 2.5 hours walking the zoo. My only gripe is we had to do a couple of laps to find the elephants. They weren't in the Elephant house and we couldn't find the outdoor exhibit for them on the Kaziranga Forrest trail. First the sign to the entrance to that trail is covered by an overgrown tree. None of the signage pointed to that trail except for the sign covered by the tree. Outside of that was a great visit. Got so see some wildlife I had never seen before. Would definitely recommend the zoo to any visitors. I would definitely plan some extra time to walk the park the zoo sits in as well. read more

Our September 2023 Dublin revisit New Nocturnal House will be home to Ireland's first aye-ayes Dublin Zoo is delighted to unveil its newest habitat, a Nocturnal House which will be home to a brand new lemur species, the aye-aye, who are native to the island of Madagascar. The Nocturnal House will be home to the Zoo's aye-aye pair, male Peanut and female Tahiri, who arrived from Bristol Zoo last September, as well as their offspring. A species of lemur, the aye-aye is the largest nocturnal primate and related to monkeys, apes and humans. They are visually striking animals, with dark brown or black fur and a bushy tail longer than their body. They have large eyes and ears, and slender fingers including a long middle finger that they use to tap on trees to listen for insects moving beneath the bark. Once they have chewed through the wood with their incredibly strong teeth, the same middle finger is used to fish for the insects. It is also used to scoop the flesh from fruits, which supplement the species' insect diet. To celebrate the arrival of this new species, on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July, Dublin Zoo will have plenty of educational and fun-filled activities for all ages from 12pm-4pm, including special keeper talks, crafts, games and face painting. read more

Dublin Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

We really loved the Zoo! Loved that the animals had room to roam around In most cases and weren't in confined spaces. The giraffes are always my favorite and they had a lot of room. read more

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We had so much fun at this zoo. We came right at opening and all the animals we saw were very active. We spent about 2 hours but could of spent more time if we didn't have other plans. My favorite part was the farm animals section they had. The pig and sheep were so adorable and had quite the personality. Would definitely recommend a visit here. read more

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It's located in the middle of Phoenix Park, a very large, beautifully landscaped park. Make sure you take some time to stroll around and enjoy the park either before or after your visit to the zoo. If you've seen one zoo, you've probably seen them all. This one is kind of on the small side and we managed to see everything in just under two hours. It's clean, and the exhibits are decent, it's just a little outdated I think (but then again, it has been open since 1830). The biggest complaint I have is that it's hard to take photos or even view the animals in a few of the exhibits, because you have to peer through chain link fences, etc. as opposed to the type of exhibits that set the animals back a ways and then have a deep trench that prevents them from escaping, or prevents you from sneaking into the exhibit with dangerous animals (as I've seen crazy people post online). They have a couple of hippos, but they're underwater most of the time, so you can't see them. One positive note is that you can get really close and personal with the penguins - and they seem very tame. All of the usual animals can be spotted here, the most unusual thing I saw were the grey wolves - I've never seen them in a zoo before. They were quite impressive to see. Cost is €15.00 for Adults and €10.50 for Children under 16. (Or FREE if you have purchased the Dublin City Pass - which I highly recommend!) Here's a little historical tidbit from the zoo's website: "And here is a bit of macabre history for you: During the Easter Rising of 1916, zoo workers were unable to get out of Phoenix Park. When meat supplies for the animals ran out, zoo workers decided to kill other animals in the zoo to keep the more valuable lions and tigers alive." read more

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There are so many exhibits and the animals come right up to you too! Out of all the zoos I've been to, this one was the best. read more

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Exhibits.. 10/10 Selection... 8/10 Exhibits... 8/10 What a wonderful afternoon activity, especially if the weather is nice! Taking your time through the zoo will take a MAX of 2 hours. Lots of exhibits have colors to ensure a dry spot to observe the animals. I was taken aback by how large the zoo's giraffe herd was. All the animals looked well cared for and stimulated. I highly recommend this activity as part of the Go City Pass. read more

My husband and I took most of the day to explore this zoo. It was $42 for the both of us to get in. We walked around for a bit but only saw a few animals. We saw birds, zebras, giraffes, and more. I spent a lot of time at the penguin exhibit. They were so cute! Some of them were swimming and the others were either sitting or flopping around. I could spend all day watching them. We're glad the zoo was so big with many different animals. This is a great place to take your kids for the day. read more

Save the orangutan!!! This poor girl looks lonely and sad in her box. To view her making a bed and placing her blanket over her face to his from spectators eyes. Why not give her a more open outdoor space than a dark hit box!! Also, she needs a mate!!! Social animals should not be alone. read more

Dublin Zoo - Save the lonely and isolated Orangutan - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

A must do if you're visiting Dublin. I definitely recommend doing Wild Lights if you're visiting around the Christmas period. It's wonderful for all ages. You might even spot a red panda while you're wandering about during wild lights. read more

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When we visited the zoo was under construction and since it was cold a lot of the animals were not out. We went on a Saturday early February and paid £32.00 for a student and an adult ($40). This is kind of pricy for not being able to see half the exhibit- which was not made known until we went into the park and saw for ourselves. Other than that the animals that were out were spunky and lively. Every time we stopped to try and have got chocolate or tea or even coffee all the places had closed by 3 even though the park closed at 5. We spent only a few hours there but did a lot of walking. The maps helped us and were very well placed. The bathrooms were clean as well as the over all park. Overall I enjoyed my time but for me it wasn't worth that much to see a park under construction. Says summer 2019 they should be done so hopefully it's a lot better! read more

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The Dublin Zoo was the third most popular paid attraction in Ireland last year, according to the national tourism agency. This was surprising to me, since the last thing I think about when traveling is visiting the local zoo! This 69-acre zoo opened in 1831, and there are over 400 animals across 37 exhibits. The zoo seems to have faithfully recreated the natural habitats of the animals therein. But it does get cold in Ireland, so the exhibits also feature a constructed dwelling that the animals can go into to seek warmth. You can look into the windows of these dwellings and get an up close view of the residents! Some of my favorite sights were the playful orangutans and gibbons, towering giraffes, the other-worldly okapi, hungry elephants, a flock of flamingos, and the family farm where we saw a male peacock trying his best to woo a disinterested female peacock. Exhibit signs provide information on the animals, their endangered status, and what the zoo is doing to help with conservation efforts. The wife and I visited two hours before closing time, and unfortunately some of the animals seemed to be napping/out of sight. All the feedings/talks were over by this time. So come earlier if you want to see a more lively zoo and enjoy some of the activities; the zoo opens daily at 9:30am. There are also special events throughout the year. The normal admission cost was slightly higher than other places we visited, but our admission was included in our Dublin Pass. I don't know if I'd pay the €17/adult fare to come here, but my visit was pleasant, albeit it would've been more so had we seen more of the animals and activities. read more

Places like Tayto park, dundrum farm, etc etc-the staff are happy to help and accommodate families with children. They look happy to welcome you and do what they can to make your trip easier. Not so in Dublin zoo. The supervisors and managers are sharp to say the least. Have had a number of experiences where I've been left upset as they will not let me in without my husband on OUR family annual pass. Misogynistic to say the very least. An attitude that unless you're husband is with you - then you can't come in despite showing passport and marriage licence. Question it, tell them we'd got the go ahead by phone and they just say sorry wasn't passed on. We don't talk to that department, we are in conflict. Bizarre. Oh and the animals do not look well cared for. Some poor costs and very neglected enclosures. Would not recommend read more

We were visiting Dublin for a week, so we decided to take our children to the zoo. This is one of the best zoos we've been to! This place is huge, with a lot of variety. It was also very clean and the animals seem to be well-taken care of. Our daughter had a great time looking at all the animals. She also loved the safari section! read more

Dublin Zoo - The safari area in Dublin zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

I have always been a big fan of the zoo as I have been coming here since I was a young child. Recently they have added an interesting new feature for winter time called "Wild Lights". It is such an amazing experience and a great idea for the festive season. The light displays they have are beautiful and they also have an entertaining acrobat show as well. Would recommend for families and couples! read more

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What's not to love!? Animals, candy floss, a selection of flora that often gets completely overlooked and a couple of hours light exercise as you move from enclosure to enclosure. Plus, Dublin Zoo is the only place left on earth that sells blue Shush Puppie...with added popping candy. If that doesn't make your kids hit a sugar high resulting in some sort of international incident involving a Rhino and an elastic band, nothing will. read more

Dublin Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

Very well done zoo. Most of the facility feels like it was built recently and designed in a way that is mindful of animal welfare (in as much as keeping a wild animal in a cage can be mindful of their welfare). Good variety of animals and all the classics (giraffes, lions, etc.). A number of playgrounds for kid breaks. A little on he pricier side but not outrageous. Worth checking out with kids. read more

Not really a surprise - but the Zoo makes for a great day out with the family. So that of course means lots of small kids and buggys. So that is something you shouldn't mind having around you ;-) Dublin Zoo is quite big so you should count at least 2-3 hours to have a look at everything and then maybe a picknic break in addition. For that the animals are not in the wild and their natural environment they still have mainly a seemingly big enough area to live in. All signs show how common the animals are out in the wild - and a lot of them are endangered to some extend, some to a bigger extend. So it's nice to see that they are living in a rather sheltered environment now. read more

Visited Dublin Zoo with work during this amazing sunny weather we're having. It's pricey to get in €17 a pop and is expensive considering there's still alot of construction happening throughout. But it's still well worth a trip as it's probably one of my favourite zoos I've been too. The new enclosures are looking great. Ie the sealions and flamingo island. We arrived early so luckily it wasn't too busy but when we left around half 12 there were Q's outside. Bringing your own bite definitely saves the cost and who doesn't like a picnic especially in the Zoo. All in all its a great day out with plenty to see. We got particularly close to the elephants as they were being fed and the tigers came close too. Thumbs up from me.. still a favorite from my childhood. read more

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You just can't beat a trip to Dublin Zoo! What can I say that's not already been said about the place? Killer staff, killer animals and decent prices! The best part about Dublin Zoo is the "African Plaines". It's full of larger enclosures for the animals, kind of giving it a safari feel! As a budding photographer, it's one of my favourite places to take a few snaps! Lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, jaguars, leopards, guerrillas, chimps, snakes, parrots, birds, seals, penguins, horses and meerkats. And those are just my favourites! There's plenty more where that came from! Food gets pretty pricey, particularly if your bringing the whole clan, so I'd advise doing a picnic job! Other than that, great day out! read more

Dublin Zoo - Red panda cuteness - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

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We're all going to the Zoo today how about you? If I had written this 10 years ago I would have slatted the zoo. Of course if I was writing this ten years ago id be using a gateway 200 PC with 4 mb of ram Thankfully its 2010 and both IT and Zoos have moved on tremendously. Dublin Zoo is now a clean well kept place that appears to have plenty for room for the animals. . Once you get into the zoo there is plenty to see and do. It is extremely well kept and these days the animals seem a lot happier. When going to the zoo I would make a few recommendations Wear some comfy shoes seriously there is a lot of walking so this is essential. Bring plenty to drink bearing in mind the amount of walking you will need plenty of water and 7up to keep you refreshed. And lastly try and bring your own food. If there is one thing that the zoo falls down on is food. It is overly priced cheap food burgers and chip at 8 euro is not worth it one bit. But let's face it all venues seem to do this get you in for one thing and then screw you for food. Let's not lose focus though the Zoo is a fun fun family day out and even if you posses no little people I think you would find this to be a fun day out. read more

Dublin Zoo - Entrance - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

Dublin Zoo is brilliant! A big zoo, with lots of different animals in fab enclosures. We went on a sunny Thursday during summer holidays at 12pm so be warned there will be a queue and navigating around all the pushchairs can get tiresome (grumpy old lady!). Highlights include; the 12.30pm elephant talk where there are 3 elephant calves who you get to see playing in the water - adorable, the tigers, the silver back gorilla and the chimpanzees! I would recommend trying to get there as early as possible and make sure you bring your own water (and picnic if possible). At 2.50E a bottle and no water fountains available, drinking becomes a little steep. There food also didn't look all that appetising. read more

Dublin Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

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Now we've all been to Dublin Zoo on the obligatory school tour over the years, and I never appreciated it much back then. To me, it was just a bunch of animals. The only difference between them and m and my fellow classmates was that they were in cages. We were let o the loose for a few hours. I went back a couple of years ago as a grown up, and I loved it! Now, I did go with an animal lover, so that made the trip a little more enjoyable, but it's such a great day out. My favourites are definitely the monkeys, they're so mischievous, and the new elephants are adorable. I know there's always the debate that animals shouldn't be cooped up like that, but the only ones I have problem with are the lions and tigers. They always look so miserable, just lying there, as if they're sedated. I always feel really sorry for them. But besides that, it's a great day our - no matter what age you are. read more

Dublin Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

Great to see it doin so well. Building up all the enclosures and the new pens and the new attractions and the staff omg they are just so happy and outgoing and only want to help they all seem to love what they are doin. Ask any questions and they all wana tell u all about their animals who all look well cared for and well fed and the meerkats are so funny. The new sealoin enclosure is amazing the seals are so playful and dublin zoo is just gettin bigger and better every year. Altho its closing a bit earlier cos of winter when the good weather gets here itl be packed again. Its a rare occasion i give a 5 star review but after watching the zoo programme and seeing the peopel who just love to talk about the animals they care for and to see such devotion and such amazing enclosures was a great thing to witness read more

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Maybe it was just the day I went but I wouldn't be rushing back to Dublin Zoo. I love that its in the Phoenix Park and have very fond memories from when I was a kid, especially going on school trips. I went along this past summer and I left a little disappointed. It wasn't crowded and it was a beautiful day so no problems there. I just felt there wasn't enough to see, there is a fair amount of walking for what you do see and I think they could do a better job with sign posting. Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely Zoo and an amazing day out for Children but I want to see lots of animals and there just aren't enough. read more

Dublin Zoo - Outside Dublin Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

Parking was hell. Cars all over the place. How is there not a large paid parking situation????? Far too many people admitted for the amount of viewing space at animal pens. At each pen there were 20 people squeezing in to a small window. Was awful. Saw very few animals. If you go with a stroller, go with the smallest you can. You can't get around well with the amount of people they admit. One of the worst zoos I've ever been at. read more

Actually a really nice zoo. I like that they have kiosks for drinks and snacks and bathrooms tucked in all over the place plus playgrounds. The playgrounds are really for the five and under set but my older kids enjoyed them anyway. I appreciate the wifi in spots. As foreign travelers, we rely on it to communicate with the rest of our party to avoid steep international cell phone plans. The zoo itself has a nice but not enormous selection of animals. It does have gorgeous grounds and greenery. My kids loved the meerkats that are visible from the lunch spot. We liked the restaurant since it has a variety of kid and adult friendly food and drink options. The staff was super nice too. read more

Some animal lovers don't like zoos because they think it's cruel to cage animals, but I say to these people how else would we be able to see them with our own eyes? After all, not everyone can travel to Africa to see a lion. And besides, zookeepers are animal specialists who know how to care for wildlife. When I want to look at exotic creatures, I go to the Dublin Zoo which has a good variety of different species. For €15, you can see big cats, primates, Arctic dwellers and farm animals. The zoo offers a family discount as well. Two adults and two small children can visit for €43.50. I have some great memories of the times I went here. I remember watching the seals eat, a tiger sleep and the chimpanzees mate. Good times! read more

Dublin Zoo - Taken from Dublin Zoo Website - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

I've been to many a zoo in my time and Dublin funnily enough, seems to set the standard for European zoos in my book. I was in Berlin zoo last January and although they had polar bears (a lot scarier in real life) and panthers (just as scary in real life) I kept thinking to myself: 'this is no Dublin zoo'. There are lions, elephants, a gorilla, and ahem, sheep. Hop on the little TK wagon yoke for a quick tour and you'll feel like a kid again. read more

I am somewhere in the middle as far as the Dublin Zoo is concerned. We chose to visit on a weekend and were pleasantly surprised to find the place not overly crowded and the animals were very active. It was neat to be able to hear the lion roar and see the red pandas playfully chase one another throughout their enclosure. However, with that being said, I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed. With an admission price of €16.50 for adults, I think it is a bit steep considering the limited number of animals you actually get to see. (could just be the day we went-many were off exhibit) **Also just as a tip, definitely bring in your own food! Options inside are limited and way overpriced!! read more

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The Zoo is set in the grounds in Phoenix Park. There are well over 700 animals and tropical birds to see in the zoo. I think its Dublins most popular attraction and for me too. It was founded in 1830 it is the fourth oldest scientific zoo in the world. I Visited the New World of Primates and saw the monkey islands. Polar bears, snowy owls and arctic foxes. I also took a train ride around the Zoo which i found fun and amazing. The is for all people of all ages and children will love it. Also the Zoo is educational for children. Admission: Adults £6.30, Children £3.70, Senior Citizens £3.70, Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £18.50 Family Ticket (2 adults and 3 children) £21.00 Family Ticket (2 adults and 4 children) £23.50 Group rates available by request. read more

Dublin Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Dublin, D

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Fantastic day out with the wife and kids. We set out from our hotel in Ashbourne for a some what short journey to the zoo. Dublin Zoo does not have car park facilities but there are plenty of parking spaces available within Phoenix Park. Finding these spaces is the problem. Using sat nav to find the zoo is essential as on our day the main route through phoenix Park was blocked off with no signage to direct traffic to an alternative route or point in the direction of the zoo. We eventually used Google map to plot a different direction and eventually parked in a pretty crowded car park. No signage was displayed to point which way the zoo was but we knew approx where it should be via Google maps. The rest of the day once entering was straight forward and more enjoyable. With our prepaid passes we avoided huge ques to enter. The new water enclosure for the sea lions was fantastic with views of above and under water. The African plains were spacious and well placed viewing areas gave ample space for the smallest of visitor. Dublin Zoo is a great place to visit and is very spacious so expect sore feet at the end of the day. It has plenty of seating areas and various dining areas all pointed out on their detailed pocket map. A great day had by all. read more

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I don't know why it has taken me so long to get down to Dublin Zoo. I've heard a few people say "it's so much better than Belfast Zoo" and "you won't believe how big it is" but never really paid much attention to it. Belfast Zoo kind of bums me out a bit. I've very fond memories of it as a kid, but the last time I went it was just kind of depressing. Then I went to Edinburgh Zoo when I was at university and thought "this is what a zoo should be like!" So to think that a zoo in the same body of land as Belfast Zoo could be any better was a foreign concept to me. Big mistake. Recently took a day trip to Dublin Zoo and was absolutely blown away. The variety of animals to see and the sheer size and effort put into the zoo is just staggering. There are animals here I've never heard of (hello, Red River Hogs) let alone seen and it made an already great day even better, getting to learn about all these exciting new creatures. The safari areas with the giraffe, zebra, ostrich and rhinos was excellent, with all the staff doing talks and demonstrations sounding enthusiastic and happy to be there (definitely go see the sealion show, it was really great). Budget yourself a good 3 - 4 hours to get around, and also bring snacks with you as the shops in the zoo, whilst reasonably priced, are always absolutely bunged. Oh and bring a camera. Oh and if you're terrified of large groups of screaming kids and their very bossy and rude parents, don't worry, with how good the zoo is it's worth putting up with the maelstrom of chaos that is their biggest audience. read more

This review is a bit specialised as I'm reviewing Dublin Zoo as a wedding venue. I was there last week for a wedding on location. Civil ceremonies can take place in Haughton House which can seat about 70 people. it's just a fantastic idea for a venue because in that boring bit between the wedding and the reception guests can go around the zoo. They have special vintage Zoo cars to transport the bride and groom for their tour of the zoo. We loitered by the penguins for awhile as they matched our formal attire. It's weird in a good way to wander around the zoo looking shnazzy and carrying a bouquet - it really ads a festive air to the occassion. The zoo don't do wedding receptions yet, but they might in the future. I can't receommend it enough! read more

Dublin zoo is one of my favourite places in Dublin not only because I love animals but also for the fantastic photo opportunities. The African Savannah is perfectly designed giving the animals lots of space to roam while also allowing visitors to get really close. This summer they made did a big upgrade on the flamingo and sea lion enclosures and now have an under water viewing area which is really great.The food in the zoo isn't great and is quite expensive but there are lots of really nice picnic areas and you can always buy drinks / ice creams there. In my opinion the best time to visit is September when it is still bright and mild (wishful thinking) but the kids have gone back to school read more

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Trips to the zoo are all about the unexpected. You might go in expecting to see the lion doing the whole king of the jungle thing. Odds are, you'll be treated to him snoozing like your granddad on a Sunday afternoon. But there's plenty of other attractions that are too good to miss. The penguins are as skilled at working a crowd as any Grafton Street busker. The reptile house will either leave you fascinated, or have your skin crawling. And there's a pack of African hunting dogs that are just terrifying. Think of the hyenas in The Lion King, but instead of being animated comic relief, they're real and only separated from you by a glass partition. Overall, the zoo is a good way to while away a few hours on a sunny day. It's a little pricey though, €15 for an adult, €12.50 for students. At leasts there's free parking around the corner from the main entrance. read more

It must be at least 22 years since I have been to Dublin Zoo last and today it is a completely different zoo from what I remember as a child. But its all good, great in fact. We got to see so many feedings too, with live zoo keeper commentary: Sea lions Giraffes Rhinoceros's The other highlights for me were the Elephants, Lions, Wolves, Sloth AND the new baby Hippopotamus. This was my highlight (even if it was a bit dark and she was the other side of her Mum). I think the way the enclosures are setup and layed out really add to the experience. Some enclusures to tend to make it easy for the animals to hide in, but is the way they are meant to be. But others, like the African Savannah, are fantastic for viewing the animals. There are lots of toilets dotted around the place and the paths are well signposted. All in all a very pleasant experience and I would recommend. I am looking forward to returning in the next year or two to see the new Gorilla enclosure, due to open on 29th September. read more

Great day out.Highlights for me were watching A trio of seals gracefully swimming in their pool area, then suddenly realising it is feeding time, jumping out of the pool and dashing to the feeding pens. The first two seal to arrive at the two open gates, cheekily slam the gates shut behind them :O with their tails! leaving the last seal very pissed off indeed Mother Hippo bonding with her infant baby resting on her back Baby Gorilla bonding with her Mama by peeing on her back :p read more