Debut for elephants as zoo opens 'rainforest' opens

Elephants will today make their first appearance at Dublin Zoo for almost two years when a spectacular rainforest enclosure is opened.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to unveil the sprawling Kaziranga Forest Trail habitat, which includes water pools and dense vegetation.

It will be home to the zoo’s two new adult Asian elephants, Bernhardine and Yasmin, which have been in quarantine since arriving from Germany earlier this year.

A two-month-old baby born at the zoo in May has yet to be named.

Elephants are among the most popular animals at the Phoenix Park attraction and are certain to boost visitor numbers in coming weeks.

Tragedy struck at the zoo in 1903 when an elephant named Sita killed her keeper while he nursed her injured foot.

She was later put down by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary.