Fota roars into its 40th anniversary

By Marguerite Kiely

Get your party hats out and join Fota Wildlife Park on Friday 23 June as they celebrate 40 years of conservation in style. Since its opening on 23 June, 1983, the park has grown from 73 to 100 acres, expanded its animal kingdom from 59 species to a whopping 108, and contributed €4 million to conservation programs.

It has also witnessed the birth of hundreds of endangered animals, including 240 cheetahs, 72 towering Rothschild's giraffes, and 60 magnificent European bison.

Fota Wildlife Park has also participated in noteworthy reintroduction programs like bringing back European bison to the UK, Poland, and Romania. They've even released nearly 7,000 Natterjack toads in West Kerry, thanks to their partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Dingle Aquarium.

To commemorate this milestone birthday, Fota Wildlife Park invites everyone to join their three-day carnival from Friday 23 June to Sunday 25 June. Entertainment will be provided by performers, including stilt walkers and jugglers from 12pm to 4pm daily. There will also be face painting for the kids along with an array of fun-filled games. It's the purr-fect celebration of Fota's 40 years of bringing the untamed wonder of wildlife to guests from all corners of the globe.

Throughout the birthday weekend, there will be a feeding frenzy. Witness live feedings of captivating creatures such as the Humboldt penguins, northern cheetahs, mischievous lion-tailed macaques, adorable red pandas and a variety of playful primates. These events are free with entry.

To keep the party going, Fota Wildlife Park has planned a lineup of wildlife talks, live events, and educational-themed weekends throughout the summer. Check out the schedule at www.fotawildlife.ie.