Fota Wildlife Park unveils ten year ‘vision plan’
Fota Wildlife Park this week revealed it hopes to become one of the top ten wildlife parks in Europe.
It’s part of a €30 million investment proposal, details of which were included in the 2030 Vision Plan.
Fota Wildlife Park, a not-for-profit organisation, will invest €15 million of funds generated from its primary incomes, such as gate receipts, and the remaining €15 million is anticipated to come from central and local government and philanthropic sources over the next ten years.
The Park plans to expand its number of species breeding programmes and to redevelop and expand the Education Complex.
The proposal also aims to increase the levels of environmental sustainability across the entire operation, continue the commitment to excellence in animal care and welfare and provide a holistic visitor experience that allows for an authentic connection to conservation in action.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially launched Fota Wildlife Park’s 10 year development plan on Monday.
He said: “I am delighted to launch Fota Wildlife Park’s ten year development plan that will pave the way for this iconic amenity and visitor attraction to become a leader in conservation and biodiversity education and endangered species management in a European context. Fota Wildlife Park’s position as a major contributor to the economic health of tourism in county Cork cannot be understated.
“The almost half a million visitors it attracts, many of whom are holidaying in the area, bring an estimated €70 million in spending to the region annually. I am delighted to unveil the 2030 Vision Plan to further invest in the infrastructure of this magnificent 100 acre Park, including the proposed new development of the Education, Conservation and Research Centre due for completion in 2023.”
Sean McKeown Director of Fota Wildlife Park said “Since opening almost 40 years ago, we have always set ourselves apart with the wide open spaces, naturalistic habitats and as a place to give the public an opportunity to learn and appreciate nature. We consider these elements to be a big factor behind our hugely successful endangered species breeding programmes.
“As we look to 2030, and as more species face extinction than ever before, Fota Wildlife Park sets a target to be a leader in species conservation, education, operational sustainability, and a special place where people can be inspired to protect the biodiversity of our natural world.”