Hoax calls cause zoo switchboard meltdown

HOAX calls to Dublin Zoo for C Lion and G Raffe have sent its telephone switchboard into a virtual meltdown, bosses said yesterday.

Up to 5,000 unsuspecting victims of an old — now resurrected — practical joke are bombarding the phone lines at the Phoenix Park attraction every day.

Management said the calls are taking their toll on workers and they have posted a message on their answer machine warning people about the prank.