Dublin Zoo cleared of 17 animal welfare allegations following full investigation

A report of 17 alleged incidents at Dublin Zoo, dating from 2004 to 2022, was made to gardaí by an anonymous whistleblower last December and was later raised in the Dáil.

Following a “comprehensive and rigorous investigation”, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) deemed all but one of the allegations as “unfounded”.

The one case that was “partially supported” by evidence pertained to an incident from 2004 involving a California sea lion, Kipper, who unfortunately succumbed to dystocia.

It was acknowledged that while earlier intervention could have been beneficial, the actions taken at the time were consistent with the knowledge and facilities available then.

According to the investigation, Dublin Zoo “has since resolved the issue through changes in process, facility, or management”.

Another allegation mentioned that a bongo calf was stillborn and did not survive a caesarean section. The report found the calf survived but was euthanised at six days old due to a traumatic hip dislocation during birth.

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It was also alleged said a female ostrich who had broken her pelvis while mating was left untreated for eight months, but the NPWS said it found no evidence that mating took place and she died from a lung ailment.

Commenting on the findings of the inspection report, Dublin Zoo said: “The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has unequivocally affirmed that the staff at Dublin Zoo are unwaveringly dedicated to the highest standards of animal welfare, ensuring the wellbeing and dignity of every animal in their care, both as individuals and as populations.

“Dublin Zoo continues to prioritise the welfare of our animals, constantly evolving our practices and facilities to align with the latest standards and knowledge in animal care.

“We maintain a strong commitment to transparency and have demonstrated this through our open communication and cooperation with the NPWS inspection team.”

Sixteen allegations were categorised as having “no evidence to support the narrative of the allegation” and were unfounded.

One was partially supported as “evidence supports the historical allegation, but Dublin Zoo had resolved the issue”.

Dublin Zoo also highlighted the “considerable distress” caused after the allegations were made “without consulting Dublin Zoo to verify their legitimacy”.

“Dublin Zoo appreciates the thorough and impartial review conducted by the NPWS Zoos Inspectorate. We take all feedback seriously and are committed to using these findings to further enhance the care and welfare of our animals.

“Like all progressive zoos, Dublin Zoo continuously aims to enhance and set new benchmarks for our animal welfare management program.

“The collective understanding of animal behaviour is ever evolving, and at Dublin Zoo we do our utmost to ensure we adhere to and, where possible, exceed best practice at all times.

“While human error is unavoidable in managing animal welfare, the course of action taken once an issue is identified and the manner of its resolution are crucial.

“We are pleased that the reputation of Dublin Zoo and our dedicated team has once again been upheld.”