Fota Wildlife Park News

Fota Wildlife Park Achieve Record Number of Visitors in 2011

2012-01-06T11:21:03+00:00

The Queen or Barack Obama may not have visited Fota Wildlife Park last year but 390,146 people did, making it another record year for the popular Cork attraction who is also celebrating the birthday of the oldest swinger in town this month.

BIAZA Director is given an OBE in UK

2012-01-05T15:27:40+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park would like to congratulate Dr Miranda Stevenson Director of BIAZA (British & Irish Association of Zoo's & Aquariums) on her getting an award of an OBE for services to wildlife and conservation in the 2012 UK New Year's honours list.

Fota Wildlife Park Photo Competition Winners Announced

2011-12-17T12:10:50+00:00

The Fota Wildlife Park Photo Competition winners have been picked and can been seen in the 2012 official calendar of the park which is now on sale in the Serengeti Gift Shop for €2.00

Free Santa at Fota this Christmas

2011-11-21T12:28:04+00:00

Visit Santa Claus for free at the Arctic Experience at the new Fota Wildlife Park Education Complex this Christmas.

Our Scary Night Time Tour Is Back for 2011

2011-10-18T16:36:50+00:00

To celebrate Halloween, Fota Wildlife Park are putting on a very special night time train tour of the park on Oct 29th, 30th and 31st

Fota Wildlife Park is set to help Cork Tourism bring in €146m in 2011

2011-10-13T12:42:22+00:00

A study by research company Behaviour & Attitudes has found that Fota Wildlife Park is a major asset to Cork Tourism with 46% of all their visitors to the attraction are holidaying in the area and spending €146m during their stay.

Tour de Apes!

2011-09-22T20:42:16+00:00

Our own Barry Walsh will be cycling for apes as he travels 190km from Belfast Zoo to Dublin Zoo to raise funds for EAZA's Ape campaign.

Fota Wildlife Park Calendar Competition

2011-09-19T11:44:26+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is running an exciting photography competition open to all visitors to the park, both young and old.

Fota Wildlife Park’s Head of Education receives a prestigious award from University College Cork

2011-09-09T09:43:19+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is pleased to announce that Lynda Mc Sweeney Walsh, Head of Education has been awarded an honorary Masters by University College Cork on Thursday.

Our Baby Boom Continues

2011-08-24T14:18:33+00:00

Staff at Fota Wildlife Park are celebrating yet another baby at their African Savannah following the birth early this morning of a baby zebra called Zippy to mother Fiona and father Barnie.

Our Penguin becomes a YouTube Star

2011-08-23T08:21:50+00:00

One of our Humboldt Penguins has become an internet sensation with over 70,000 hits on YouTube.

Fota Wildlife Park Announce the Birth of Conan the Giraffe

2011-08-17T11:40:40+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park have just unveiled their latest arrival, Cónan not the barbarian but a 5ft tall male giraffe calf that was born on August 5^th at Cork’s number one visitor attraction.

Winners from the marketing Survey 2011

2011-08-15T15:23:19+00:00

We would like to thank everyone who took part in this years marketing survey. Read more to see a list of the winners

Winners from the marketing Survey 2011

2011-08-15T15:23:06+00:00

We would like to thank everyone who took part in this years marketing survey. Read more to see a list of the winners

Take a Wild Trip by Rail to Fota Wildlife Park to Celebrate Tree Week August 6th – 12th

2011-08-05T15:39:10+00:00

Today FM will be broadcasting live from Fota Wildlife Park this coming Saturday 6th to launch their annual Tree Week and as an incentive to go green the park is offering discounts to everyone who takes the train.

Competition Time: Win a Membership & family passes to the park (Closing Date August 14th)

2011-07-30T08:03:18+00:00

Would you like to win a Conservation Membership, Park Membership or a family pass to Fota Wildlife Park?

The Park welcomes 5 new Ostrich Chicks

2011-07-28T11:14:25+00:00

The staff at Fota Wildlife Park are very happy this week as Five Ostrich chicks go on show to the public, the introduction is very significant following the sad termination of our flock in September 2009.

Saving the Madagascar Pochard and other Madagascan fauna

2011-07-13T14:36:49+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park will host a presentation on ‘Saving the Madagascar Pochard and other Madagascan fauna' Monday 25th July at 7.30pm.

Baby Zebra looking for a name via Twitter

2011-07-02T06:56:20+00:00

A little zebra has become the latest addition to the at Fota Wildlife Park following the recent arrival of meerkat pups and now the park are looking for a name for the Zebra via Twitter.

Animal Feeding times Summer 2011

2011-06-30T06:36:00+00:00

Animal Feeding Times for Public during Summer 2011
Starting 1st July 2011

Fota Wildlife Park Ape Campaign Kicks Off

2011-06-23T06:39:56+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park gets their Eaza Ape campaign underway by pitting fathers against each other in 'Ape Olympics'.

Fota Wildlife Park Supports EAZA Ape Campaign this weekend

2011-06-17T05:49:33+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park Supports EAZA Ape Campaign this weekend with its Slogan
"Gibbon us another chance"

Fota Wildlife Park's Ape Campaign will commence this weekend with all sorts of ape related events taken part across the park.

Fota Wildlife Park to Host Important Zoological Conference This Week

2011-06-06T04:30:01+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park in Cork is set to be the centre of the Zoological World when it hosts the BIAZA (British and Irish association of Zoos and Aquariums) AGM on June 10th & 11th.

Fota Wildlife Park Announce the Hatching of a White Tailed Sea Eagle Chick

2011-04-22T11:55:05+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park are delighted to announce the hatching of a very endangered White-tailed Sea Eagle chick which hatched at the park on Saturday evening.

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese to Officially Open New Entrance Complex at Fota Wildlife Park

2011-04-08T09:02:22+00:00

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese will officially open the new €4m entrance complex at Fota Wildlife Park in East Cork on Monday April 11th at 3.15pm.

Fota Wildlife Park is to embark on a Prehistoric Project that is set to amaze the world

2011-03-31T17:24:28+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is set to become the first location in the world to host prehistoric animals in a ground breaking scientific project spanning 27 acres that is set to put Cork on the map worldwide.

Fota Wildlife Park Introduce a Little Baby and Large Male to their Giraffe Family

2011-03-25T06:38:01+00:00

The wardens in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork are introducing not one but two new giraffe to the park this week, with the arrival of the an 18ft Czech called Walder via Cumbria and the birth of a yet to be named calf.

Fota Wildlife Park to Host Launch For New East Cork & West Waterford Family Fun Website

2011-03-12T07:30:42+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park are hosting a special Family Fun event this coming Sunday in association with South & East Cork Tourism to promote a new website

Fota Wildlife Park welcome The Meerkats

2011-02-09T08:09:16+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is pleased to announce the arrival of a troop of meerkats to the Park. Many people will recognise these cute little creatures from the movie The Lion King, the TV show Meerkat Manor and also all those meerkat adverts. Now they are here at the park in the new exibhit at the new entrance plaza.

Park has Record Year in 2010 and Welcomes The Meerkats

2011-02-08T10:57:00+00:00

The animals at Fota Wildlife Park are defintely feeling loved coming up to Valentines day with the news that the park had its record number of visitors in 2010, with 377,000 people visiting Cork's number one tourist attraction.

Win a Romantic Stay by The River Lee this Valentines Weekend

2011-02-06T09:09:32+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park are teaming up with the 4 star River Lee Hotel in Cork this coming Valentines Weekend to give away three fantastic prizes. All you need to do to win is visit the park between the 12th and 14th of February to enter the love trail competition.

Happy 21st Birthday to Nollaig the Giraffe

2010-12-28T06:52:48+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park staff were not only celebrating Christmas this week, they were also celebrating the 21st birthday of Nollaig the Giraffe.

Fota Wildlife Park Celebrate Winning 2 Eircom Spider Awards with Launch of iPhone App

2010-11-26T06:54:08+00:00

Staff at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork this week were celebrating the arrival of two spiders, however these were not of the animal kind instead it was for best tourism and overall website at the annual Eircom Spider Awards. They also teamed up with Cork company ProductWorld to launch their new iPhone App which can also be used on the new Apple iPad.

Would You Like To See Fota WIldlife Park in The Dark?

2010-10-12T08:37:39+00:00

We are offering people a very unique experience at Fota Wildlife Park this Halloween. We have 9 tours of the park in the dark over 3 nights.

VOTE FOR US AT THE MATERNITY & INFANT AWARDS

2010-10-08T06:52:27+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park have been shortlisted for best family day out at the maternity & infant awards for teh third year in a row. Now we need your help to win the award for the first time.

Bookings open for Halloween Activity Camps

2010-09-29T10:58:27+00:00

We are delighted to announce that our annual Halloween Activity Camp is back on October 27,28 & 29th and it will be the first camp in our new education centre. The camp is priced at €25 for one day or €68 for three days. Contact the Education centre on 0214812678 ext 206 to book a place.

My name is RUA

2010-09-27T04:17:29+00:00

After a huge response to our online naming competition our Baby Red Panda has been named RUA

Marketing Survey Competition Winners Announced

2010-09-22T08:58:36+00:00

We are delighted to announce the winners of our recent Marketing Survey Competition which drew in close to 1,000 entries.

Superhero Fun Run proves to be a big hit

2010-09-20T04:20:09+00:00

The first Superhero Fun Run at the park for Our Lady's Children Hospital prooved to be a big hit with over 200 people turning up to raise much needed funds for the hospital in Crumlin.

Baby Red Panda is Looking for a Name

2010-09-10T08:53:45+00:00

Red fever is set to take over Cork this weekend not over next week's All Ireland Football final, instead people visiting Fota Wildlife Park will be oohing and ahhing over a little red panda cub that will be visible to the public for the first time on Saturday. We are looking for kids to name him and win some fantastic prizes.

Interview with Sean McKeown the Park’s Director

2010-08-20T04:10:00+00:00

Interview with the Park's Director Sean McKeown courtesy of the Cork Independent

Congratulations to the 1st visitor to go through our new entrance

2010-08-18T10:39:32+00:00

At 4pm today Fota Wildlife Park opened up the kiosks on its new entrance as a test run and welcomed its first visitor

Competition: Win a Membership & Family Passes to the Park

2010-08-13T07:51:32+00:00

We are giving away 7 prizes including a Conservation Membership, Park Membership and one of 5 family passes to the park. All you need to do is enter our online survey before the 31st of August

CORK SPORTS STARS JOIN BRAVE GIRL TO LAUNCH SUPERHERO FUN RUN

2010-08-05T11:41:10+00:00

Adelina Corigliano was joined by Cork Sports stars and the Cork Rose of Tralee Laura Mitchell to officially launch the first Superhero Fun Run Cork in aid of the Children's Cancer Fund at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

Lar Gibbon Born at Fota Wildlife Park

2010-07-30T11:09:31+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park are delighted with the latest birth at the park, a little Lar Gibbon who was born at the end of June and can now be seen by the public with its mother Namphon out on their newly refurbished island .

Let your Kids Go Wild at the Fota Wildlife Park Summer Camp

2010-07-13T04:02:44+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park's Summer Camp is back again for 2010 and is set to be another week of fun filled activities at Corks number one visitor attraction.

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK VISITOR NUMBERS KEEP INCREASING

2010-07-12T10:27:15+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is delighted to announce that their visitor numbers are up 6% for the first half of 2010; this comes on the back of the latest Failte Ireland top 10 visitor attraction numbers which put the park up three places to 6th in 2009.

Happy Birthday to Finn the Giraffe

2010-07-01T08:01:54+00:00

On Sunday 4th of July Fota Wildlife Park are going to be holding a birthday party for Finn the youngest male giraffe at the park who will be two.

Holiday for Impy & Zulu as Cheetah Run goes under construction

2010-06-30T03:52:13+00:00

Its a mini holiday for the parks most famous animals Impy & Zulu as Cheetah Run goes under construction for three weeks

Cheetah Run 4 Mile Road Race 2010 Results

2010-05-21T06:37:05+00:00

631 runners took part in the second annual Cheetah Run 4 mile road race at the park on Thursday May 20th. Congratulations to James McCarthy and Joyce Wolfe on coming first.

Race Against Time at Fota Wildlife Park this week

2010-05-19T11:59:50+00:00

Race against time is on at Fota Wildlife Park this week

This week Fota Wildlife Park is holding two races with the 2nd annual cheetah run 4 mile road race on Thursday night and the Bio Blitz to find out how many species live in the park over a 24hr period on Friday night.

Fota Wildlife Park Facebook Fan Page Reaches 5,000

2010-05-17T07:09:44+00:00

Fota WIldlife Park's Facebook Fan Page reached the magical 5,000 mark last weekend.

New Howler Monkeys arrive at Fota Wildlife Park after Volcano Delay

2010-05-07T08:06:50+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park has finally introduced the latest additions to the park a male and female Black Howler Monkey to another, after a delay caused by the volcanic ash.

Cheetah Run 2010 - The Wildest Road Race in Ireland

2010-05-04T08:28:25+00:00

The Cheetah Run, organised by Eagle AC, in conjunction with Fota Wildlife Park, will take place at 8pm on Thursday May 20th 2010. This race attracted 662 runners in 2009 and it should again prove an attractive event.

ITS A GIRL - Our Baby Zebra that is!!

2010-04-27T11:32:24+00:00

Our Baby Zebra is a girl and you still have the chance to give her a name the closing date is this coming Friday April 30th at 2pm

Name our new Baby Zebra

2010-04-16T08:24:05+00:00

A little zebra has become the latest addition to the baby boom at Fota Wildlife following the recent arrival of Aoife the giraffe and now the park are looking for a name for the Zebra.

Fota Wildlife Park hosting Responsible Pet Ownership Weekend

2010-04-06T10:09:26+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is hosting a responsible pet ownership weekend in the park this coming Saturday and Sunday April 10/11th in association with the Donkey Sanctuary, Animal care Society and The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to animals.

Tim White is the King of the Wild Life

2010-04-06T03:11:55+00:00

Tim White yesterday became the king of the wild life and walked away with €10,000 and a trip for two to Zambia

Say Hello to Aoife our new baby Giraffe

2010-04-02T09:28:42+00:00

The wardens in Fota Wildlife Park are celebrating the birth of a giraffe calf Aoife, the first giraffe born in the park since July 4th 2008.

The first night in the wild was COLD for the 8 contestants

2010-03-30T06:46:31+00:00

The first night for the 8 contestants was very cold here is what happened from 6pm until 7am

Fota Wildlife Park welcomes the 8 contestants who will live in the park

2010-03-29T10:29:44+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park welcomed the 8 finalists of its "Wild Life" competition with Red FM this morning at 10am, each of them hoping to last the full week and walk away with €10,000 and a two week trip to Zambia thanks to travel4change.ie.

“THE WILD LIFE” - Your chance to win �?�10,000 & a trip to Africa

2010-03-01T06:14:32+00:00

Would you like to win €10,000 and a trip of of lifetime to Zambia?

RE-DISCOVER CORK

2010-02-24T06:28:19+00:00

Visit Cork City Hall on March 6th between 12pm and 4pm for a family fun day and and find out what is on in Cork in 2010

Romance Continues at the Park

2010-02-22T09:22:31+00:00

Wild celebrations took place in the park at the weekend when Enda Flaherty popped the magic question to Sarah Jane Grehan

Win a chance to Escape to Your Private Island at the park this weekend

2010-02-11T04:23:07+00:00

Fota Island Resort have given the park 4 fantastic prizes to give away this valentines weekend at the park

New �?�4 million Face Lift for Fota Wildlife Park

2010-02-03T09:29:02+00:00

Following a very successful 2009 where visitor figures grew by 5%, Fota Wildlife Park have started work on a brand new €4 million entrance development which includes an exciting new macaque exhibit.

GET FIT AT FOTA

2010-01-11T06:10:55+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park is launching two new walking groups in the park starting on Monday 18th of January at 10am with information morning

Wardens brave the Cold Weather

2010-01-02T09:49:45+00:00

The Wardens at the park are braving the freezing cold conditions to make sure our animals are coping with the current cold spell

St John’s Gospel Choir performing in the park this coming Sunday

2009-12-17T09:54:21+00:00

The St Johns College Choir is performing in the Oasis Cafe at the park from 2.30pm - 3.30pm this Sunday as part of the Christmas with Larry Festivities.

Help Protect the Chagos Islands

2009-12-17T05:09:02+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park are getting behind a campaign by the ZSL to protect the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean

Give the gift of Fota this Christmas

2009-11-28T11:01:08+00:00

If you are looking for a Christmas gift idea with a difference, take a look at Fota Wildlife Park's, annual membership packages and adopt an animal scheme.

Invitation to Carol Singers

2009-11-11T08:08:45+00:00

To celebrate Christmas with Larry at the Park we are looking for carol singers to help us get in the festive spirit

You can now buy membership or adopt an animal online

2009-11-06T11:46:57+00:00

We are delighted to announce that people can now purchase annual membership or adopt an animal online

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Fota

2009-11-04T12:09:57+00:00

Yes, Mr Claus is making a special trip to Fota this christmas to see all the children taking part in our christmas activity days

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T07:12:45+00:00

Happy Halloween from everyone at Fota Wildlife Park. Come celebrate with us this weekend

Fotawildlife.ie is shortlisted for a Eircom Golden Spider Award

2009-10-28T09:04:07+00:00

Fotawildlife.ie has been shortlisted for the best community & charity website at the annual Eircom Golden Spider Awards.

Jungle V.I.P Arrives in Time for Jazz Weekend at Fota

2009-10-21T08:52:30+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park are delighted to announce the birth of a Lion Tailed Macaque and to celebrate they have a weekend of jazz lined up.

WIN WIN WIN with EA SPORTS

2009-10-13T06:08:27+00:00

To celebrate EA Sports Hub visiting the park on Wednesday October 14th we have three games to give away.

Competition Time

2009-10-06T05:30:59+00:00

We have a great prize to launch our annual activity camps at Halloween.

EA Sports Its in the Park

2009-09-30T11:47:51+00:00

The EA Sports Hub is making a very special visit to Fota Wildlife Park on October the 14th showcasing the latest games from the worlds most famous video games producer.

Help us reach 2,000 fans on Facebook

2009-09-19T03:25:01+00:00

Since launnching the Fota Wildlife Park fanpage on Facebook in July we have had over 1,500 people join us as fans, now we are looking to reach 2,000 fans by the end of September

Take the Sli na Slainte Challenge

2009-09-11T04:39:28+00:00

Irish race walker Robert Heffernan and his soon wife to be Irish 400m champion Marion Andrews were at the park yesterday to officially launch the Sli na Slainte Route

Get Healthy With the Animals

2009-09-08T03:54:17+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park and the Irish Heart Foundation are officially launching the wildest Sli Na Slainte route in the country with Irish Olympic Athlete Robert Heffernan

Fota Wildlife Park Marketing Survey Winners

2009-09-02T10:20:23+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park would like to thank everyone who completed our online Marketing Survey. We are delighted to announce the 5 winners of family passes to the park

Carnivore Campaign Week - Winners

2009-08-30T10:52:44+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park hosted a very special week for the EAZA European Carnivore Campaign from August 22nd until August 30th and now we are delighted to announce the winners of our trail competition.

Cheetah Run 4 Mile Road Race - Results

2009-08-28T10:22:46+00:00

In May of this year the park held its first Cheetah Run, a 4 mile road race that started and finished in the park and also took in Fota House and Gardens. To find out who entered the race and where they came click here

Say Hello to our latest arrival at the park - A Baby Siamang

2009-08-25T03:41:35+00:00

Joining the baby boom at Fota Wildlife Park in 2009 is a new baby Siamang Gibbon

Carnivore Campaign Week

2009-08-19T04:17:54+00:00

Fota Wildlife Park's Carnivore Week will be commencing this coming Saturday August 22nd and will run until the 30th August with all sorts of carnivore related events happening across the park.

Birds of Prey Experience on Sunday 16th has been cancelled

2009-08-14T09:21:47+00:00

Birds of Prey Experience will only take place on Saturday this weekend at 1 and 3pm. Unfortunately Sunday's flying demonstrations have to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

New Talks

2009-08-04T08:01:00+00:00

Back in the chilly days of March the first of the seasonal wildlife talks began. Initially 12 talks took place around the park each day, including talks on the bison, giraffe, cheetah, seal, eagle and penguin, at the relevant enclosures.

Now, with our additional summer staff, we have been able to increase this number to 23 daily talks! This is an enormous increase on last year, when there were a total of six talks a day. The new talks on the macaque, flamingo, lar gibbon and siamang gibbon began on Bank Holiday Monday, with great feedback.

So, in addition to our Talks Presenters giving an information-packed ten minute talk on these animals, they will also try and answer any questions that you may have.

Please see the Facilities and Daily Events section to see what time each talk is on at, or check out the signs around the park!

Sun comes out at the end of a great members party

2009-07-31T15:15:06+00:00

The sun came out at the end of the members party making it a great night for all who attended

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK HITS THE MARK

2009-07-31T07:13:23+00:00

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK HITS THE MARK

Visitor numbers up seven per cent

Let us know what you think of Fota Wildlife Park

2009-07-30T05:06:54+00:00

As you know the park is a non profit organisation therefore we rely on you the public for income, therefore we want to know what you think of the park with our customer comments survey.

Birds of Prey Experience

2009-07-27T08:20:49+00:00

What do you think is the fastest animal here at Fota Wildlife Park?

May the blogging begin…

2009-07-27T07:53:52+00:00

Hello everybody! After a long absence the blog is back in action again.

Happy Birthday Finn

2009-07-03T07:46:54+00:00

On Saturday 4th of July Fota Wildlife Park are going to be holding a very special birthday party. Yes Finn the youngest Giraffe in the park will be one years old.

EAZA Teddy Bears Picnic with Tropicana Pure Premium

2009-06-03T04:46:43+00:00

Have you teddy bears at home who would like to visit a wildlife park? Well now they can. This Sunday June 21st (Father’s Day) Fota Wildlife Park will be hosting the EAZA Teddy Bears Picnic in association with Tropicana Pure Premium to raise awareness of the EAZA European Carnivore Campaign.

Have a Wild and Wonderful Summer at Fota Wildlife Park

2009-06-03T04:30:04+00:00

Kids are you interested in nature? Have you ever wondered why a giraffe sleeps standing up or why the cheetah is the fastest land animal. Come to Fota Wildlife Park’s Summer Camps and have all of your questions answered!!

Schola Cantorum Voci del Nestore (Italy) performing at Fota Wildlife Park on Saturday May 2nd at 1pm

2009-04-26T05:04:16+00:00

The Schola Cantorum Voci del Nestore choir is made up of students from the first, second and third classes of Piegaro Middle School. The group currently consists of 25 students, and came into being in 2003 through the formation of an extracurricular school choir activity.

The Cheetah Run - 4 mile road race

2009-04-26T04:51:28+00:00

The Cheetah is a most graceful cat, whose long legs and semi-retractile claws are adaptations to coursing swift antelope prey. Cheetahs stalk their prey to about 30m, then sprint at up to 110kph. Fota Wildlife Park in Cork has been exceptionally successful in breeding Cheetahs in captivity. Over 180 cubs have been born in the park since 1985.