Zoo visits rise by 10% to 770,000

VISITOR numbers at Dublin Zoo surged 10% to a new record of more than 770,000 last year.

The Zoological Society of Ireland, which runs the zoo and Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, saw total income rise 8% to €6.3 million, while its operating surplus went up from €604,000 to €863,000.

The zoo, a not-for-profit organisation that enjoys charitable status, made almost €5 million from admission charges and annual subscriptions, with the balance coming from income from the shops and restaurants.