Smiles and joy as Fota reopens
Fota Wildlife Park is open again and the good news has already reached the North Pole!
That’s right! Santa himself will be at the park tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday) after taking a quick break from toy making to fly down to Cork.
Santa’s reindeer will have plenty of animals friends for company as the big man meets with park visitors from 11.30am-1pm on Tuesday before heading back to the North Pole for final preparations.
Visitors are asked to be extra vigilant for any of Fota’s cheeky lemurs trying to sneak into Santa’s sleigh as they would not take well to Arctic temperatures.
There was frantic excitement on both sides of the barriers on Saturday when Fota Wildlife Park reopened its doors after a ten week closure.
Visitors poured through the gates after Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD formally reopened the park at a festive event.
The hugely popular attraction had been closed since mid October following an outbreak of avian flu.
Aileen Tennant, Director of Fota Wildlife Park, thanked the public for its continued support during what she described as “a very challenging period” for the beloved wildlife park.
She said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome visitors back through the gates of Fota Wildlife Park.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it means a great deal to our dedicated team, who have worked tirelessly to care for our animals and to prepare the park for its reopening.”
She added: “We are also sincerely grateful to the NPWS and to the State for their recent financial intervention, which has secured critical investment in Irelands conservation infrastructure, ensuring that we can continue to deliver biodiversity recovery work.”
Visitors are reminded that Fota Wildlife Park will be closed on 24, 25, and 26 December and will reopen following the Christmas break on 27 December at 9.30am.
With Christmas Day fast approaching, the park also highlighted that online gift vouchers remain available, making an ideal last-minute present for loved ones and a wonderful way to support conservation, education, and excellence in animal care.
Park ownership said: “Fota Wildlife Park would like to thank everyone for the recent outpouring of support and looks forward to welcoming visitors over the festive season and into the New Year.”