Lemur fever at Fota

Fota Wildlife Park have launched an exciting new Madagascan Village, with the aim of educating visitors about the landscape and wildlife of Madagascar.

The €750,000 investment was opened by Minister of State for Tourism, Brendan Griffin. Speaking at the launch, Minister Griffin said: “The work that is being done here is incredibly important, not only in terms of being a global leader in conservation work but also as a major visitor attraction in the south east of Ireland. Fota is also a significant employer in long term sustainable tourism in the East Cork region.”

The village is the latest development in a series of weatherproof educational areas aimed at enhancing the visitor experience outside of the summer months. Composed of three buildings with glass panelling as indoor accommodation for four species of lemurs, visitors will also be able to observe the lemurs in their outdoor island habitats.

Madagascar has lost 90 per cent of its forest cover in the last 200 years. This has resulted in 80 per cent of its animal and plant life being in danger of extinction. The development will also educate the general public about the enormous threat to Madagascan biodiversity and display some of the Madagascan species that are at risk of extinction.

Director of Fota Wildlife Park Sean McKeown said: “It is so important for us to highlight the plight of the Madagascan ecosystems and biodiversity that are under severe threat and to educate the public on the need for conservation globally. As a non-profit organisation, dependant on gate receipts, we do all we can to encourage people to visit throughout the year.”

The Madagascan Village will also include two endangered species new to the park, blue-eyed black lemurs and red-bellied lemurs. The new development will also feature fish, amphibians, reptiles and insects. For more information visit fotawildlife.ie.