Visitors of the Phoenix Park can’t go by without stepping foot into Europe’s second oldest zoo at the southeastern end of the park, the Dublin Zoo. Since it was established in 1830 as a site of conservation, the zoo has grown to house close to 400 animals from the different continents of the world.

Travel to the dry, dusty plains of the African Savanna where herds of oryx cluster around artificial water holes and graze beneath the limited shade of bare boned trees. In contrast, the Gorilla Rainforest is set in the lowlands of the tropical canopies. The silvery grey coat of the ape inhabitants can hardly be detected amidst the thickets of dense vegetations and vines carefully planted with scientific precision. The saltwater habitat seen through a tank of glass houses the Californian sea lions. The playful, furry mammals are bound to have you giggling with their antics, button nose pressed against the sides of the glass as they try to reach out to you. This is just a handful of the animals that have sought refuge within the zoo’s borders. With the preservation of these wondrous creatures at the heart of all they do, the Dublin Zoo is a valiant attempt to recreate the homes we have ripped away from these endangered animals.