Dublin's Good Times
Dublin Zoo has welcomed a new species to the wildlife park - five dholes.
Also known as Asiatic wild dogs, the five males came from a zoo in Berlin.
Dholes are classified as endangered and were once widespread throughout Central, South and Southeast Asia.
This is the first time in the zoo’s history that it has had resident dholes, and a first for Ireland.
The pack consists of a pair of six-year-old brothers, a pair of three-year-old brothers and a five-year-old half-brother.
Ciaran McMahon, Team Leader at Dublin Zoo, said: “We are delighted to welcome dholes to Dublin Zoo. It’s the first time we’ve had this species at the zoo so it’s an exciting time for all the team.”
“We’re really looking forward for visitors to the zoo to see the dholes and to get the opportunity to learn more about this type of wild dog.”
“It is estimated that there are between 4,500 – 10,000 dholes left in the wild with numbers declining, so having them at Dublin Zoo as part of a global effort to preserve the species, raise awareness and educate the public on the threats they face in the wild is hugely important”, he added.
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