Dublin Zoo has opened a new habitat for red pandas and snow leopards known as the Himalayan Hills, an immersive experienced inspired by a Nepalese village and the Himalayan mountain range.
“This is a brilliant new facility at Dublin Zoo, visitors and families will love it,” said Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
“It’s great to be back to see the finished project, especially with its strong focus on conservation, both in the zoo and in the red panda’s natural habitat in Asia.”
“The red panda and snow leopard habitats are a fantastic addition to existing habitats including the African Savanna, Sea Lion Cove and the Wolves in the Woods,” he added.
“Dublin Zoo had a place deep in my heart as a child. The children of today and the future will have even more to see when they come here.”
Himalayan Hills inspired by Nepalese village
The relocated and expanded habitat for red pandas was designed with their tree-dwelling lifestyle in mind. The new habitat for snow leopards resembles their natural mountain environment.
The €3 million Himalayan Hills development was delayed due to the pandemic, which led to the launch of the ‘Save Dublin Zoo’ campaign.
Dr Christoph Schwitzer, director of Dublin Zoo, said the habitat will “enhance the lifestyle of both the snow leopard and red panda, taking inspiration from their natural environment in Nepal”.
In October, Dublin Zoo launched an ambitious 10-year plan called ‘Dublin Zoo 200’, which involves transforming the visitor attraction into a zoo-based conservation organisation.
Schwitzer said the habitat “represents another milestone on our journey of developing Dublin Zoo into one of the best in the world”.
Images: Dublin Zoo
