Farm animals added to zoo

VISITORS to the City Farm in Dublin Zoo are in for a treat because as well as lions, tigers and chimps, they can see almost 50 Irish farm animals which are now among the inhabitants.

Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry and horses have been donated by Agri Aware, which is working to create a better public awareness of the farming and food sector in Ireland.

The arrival of the farm animals coincides with the annual Agri Aware-organised Springtime on the Farm primary school educational programme which Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan launched yesterday.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative, supported by FBD Trust, aims to educate primary school children on the importance of agriculture and the characteristics of Irish farm animals.

Pupils are required to create an art piece entitled My Day on an Irish Farm, helping them to visualise the work of farmers and to understand the modern agricultural industry.

Ms Coughlan said it is important that Irish agriculture is represented positively in school classrooms.

“Families visiting City Farm in Dublin Zoo will now also have the chance to experience a real Irish farming environment with the addition of the new animals,” she said.

Agri Aware chairwoman Mairead Lavery said of the new arrivals: “Many families are unaware of where their food comes from.

“However, thanks to the generosity of a number of farmers, they will now have the chance to get up close and personal and learn about the role of farm animals in the food chain.”

www.agriaware.ie