Endangered species among animal deaths at Dublin Zoo as mortality climbs by 64 per cent

Darragh Mc Donagh

Several critically endangered species were among 41 animals that died at Dublin Zoo during 2024, representing a 64 per cent increase in mortality compared to the previous year.

Two Asian elephants, a zebra and two grey wolves were among the animals that perished at the zoo last year, along with a female chimpanzee and two Bornean orangutans.

A female Siberian tiger called Tundra was euthanised last December following a visible decline in her condition. The public will still be able to see her on display, however, as her skin and skeleton were preserved for future mounting at the Natural History Museum.

Both of Dublin Zoo’s remaining painted dogs – an endangered canine native to Africa – died last year. The male and female were the last of the species at the zoo, which had 11 of the animals as recently as 2018.

All three of the zoo’s male California sea lions also died in 2024, leaving just three females. A male hippopotamus died just two weeks after arriving at Dublin Zoo in April 2024 as a companion for its female hippo, Heidi.

Two female Sulawesi crested macaques, a critically endangered old world monkey, also died at the zoo, along with an endangered ring-tailed lemur and one of its four slender-tailed meerkats.

A total of 41 deaths, including seven that occurred within 30 days of an animal’s birth, were reported during what Dublin Zoo described as a “challenging year” for its animal care team.

“Dublin Zoo prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of animal care, a commitment evidenced by our diligent and passionate staff. Our efforts are routinely acknowledged both nationally and internationally, with our first-class animal welfare and care programmes being independently audited and heralded,” said a spokesman.

“However, as in the wild, animals also die in human care. In every such situation, the best of veterinary care and attention is given and we mourn the loss of every animal.”.

The deaths included an elderly male Bornean orangutan called Sibu, who underwent an in-depth assessment for cardiac and respiratory symptoms but died during the procedure under general anaesthesia.

He had been at Dublin Zoo for 32 years. His daughter, Riona, also died in June of last year at the age of 28.

A male Grant’s zebra called Striker was euthanised at the zoo during the same month, following an acute deterioration of his health. An 11-year-old grey wolf named Scars was also put down in July due to an ongoing respiratory issue, and a 14-year-old female grey wolf was euthanised on welfare grounds.

Other deaths included the zoo’s only golden lion tamarin – an endangered species of monkey, as well as Betty the chimpanzee, two endangered Walrapp Ibis, and an annam pond turtle, which is almost extinct in the wild.

“We also sadly lost two elephant calves due to the devastating Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV), which was detected in our Asian elephant herd in summer 2024," said the spokesman.

“Dublin Zoo’s animal care team worked tirelessly around the clock to successfully protect the remainder of our herd. We would like to thank the Irish public for the tremendous support and goodwill shown to Dublin Zoo during this extremely challenging time,” he added.