The first Irish elephant born at Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo has managed to breed the first ever elephant to be born in Ireland. Zookeepers used infrared cameras to witness Bernhardine giving birth to her new daughter. Widely regarded as one of the best Zoo's in Europe and reknown for its breeding of lions, the Irish baby elephant means that Dublin Zoo now has a breeding herd of elephants that will assist in trying to ensure the endangered animals survival.
A new enclosure is being built that will be 50% bigger than the old one. The two adult females, the Mother Bernhardine and Yasmin, and a calf, Anak, arrived in Dublin Zoo from Rotterdam Zoo in October 2006.
Zú Átha Cliath (Dublin Zoo), is situated in Phoenix Park, Dublin, it is the largest zoo in Ireland and one of Dublin's most popular attractions. Dublin Zoo first opened in 1831 and was known then as the Zoological Gardens Dublin, a name that many older Dubliners still refer to it as. The first animals, 46 mammals and 72 birds, were donated by London Zoo. Dublin Zoo is the fourth oldest zoo in the world, and is one of the main tourist attractions in Ireland, receiving over 500,000 visitors per year. The zoo describes its rôle as conservation, study, and education. Its stated mission is to “work in partnership with zoos world-wide to make a significant contribution to the conservation of the endangered species on Earth".
Covering 12 hectares (30 acres) of Phoenix Park which is one of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe, larger than Central Park of New York, it provides a naturally landscaped habitat for more than 235 species of wild animals and tropical birds. The zoo include: World of Cats, World of Primates, Fringes of the Arctic, African Plains, Birds, Reptiles, Plants, City Farm and Endangered
The zoo has had a colorfull history, one sad event happened over a century ago again concering elephants, when on the 17th June 1903, an elephant named Sita killed her keeper while he was nursing her injured foot. Sita was sadly was put down by members of the old british Royal Irish Constabulary. Then during the Easter Rising of 1916 meat ran out. In order to keep the lions and tigers alive, some of the other thought less valuable animals in the zoo were killed. And for trivia and quiz enthusiasts, Dublin Zoo was the birthplace of the lion who starred as Leo, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film studio's mascot.
Visitors to the zoo will be able to see the new Irish Asian elephant in four weeks when a new enclosure is unveiled.

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The first Irish elephant born at Dublin Zoo