Monkey business: Zoo launches fundraising drive

A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness and funds for endangered great apes begins at Dublin Zoo tomorrow.

Great apes facing extinction include chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans, bonobos and gibbons, some of humans’ closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

Dublin Zoo is home to four of these species, with thriving groups of western lowland gorillas, Borneon orang-utans, chimpanzees and Siamang gibbons.

Two of the oldest chimpanzees in Dublin Zoo, Wendy and Betty, are turning 50 this year. Both chimps arrived in Dublin Zoo in 1964, aged two from Sierra Leone.

Dublin Zoo have a weekend of fun activities, including face-painting, making special nutritional treats for the apes and extra keeper talks this weekend.

Sandra Molloy, event co-ordinator, said they are expecting a good turnout.

The event co-incides with the school summer holidays, the weather is also promised to be good and the high level of entertainment should ensure everyone enjoys themselves. The most important aspect is raising public awareness.”

Dublin Zoo has organised a number of talks and activities to inform visitors how to contribute to the survival of the great apes.