ECCG members with Fota Wildlife Park Director, Mr. Sean McKeown

On Sunday 20/7/14, incidentally the 45th anniversary of the first moon landing, Fota Wildlife Park was our destination for a Group Shoot. Those of us around to witness the moon landing first hand, could easily draw similarities with the ‘giant leap’ that has happened at Fota over its 31 years in operation, especially in the last few years. Even as you park your car and take in the park entrance with its two life-size giraffes, you are immediately aware that something special awaits inside – befitting its status as the top tourist attraction in Cork and second only to the Cliffs of Moher in Munster.

On this fine summer’s morning, our first port of call was the recently opened Asian Forest where the two newly arrived Sumatran tigers, Dourga and Denar, live. Asian Forest is the €2 million first phase of the bigger €6 million Asian Sanctuary project which will see Indian Rhinos and Asian Lions as well as other exotic animals introduced to the park over the next two years. Work is well under way, but as the park receives no external funding and is entirely dependent on gate receipts, membership fees and donations, it needs help to make this exciting project a reality. Take a look at the video below and log onto the Park’s website here for more information.

Having satisfied our curiosity with Dourga and Denar, we continued to ramble around the rest of the park and renewed acquaintances with some of the more established residents who all performed on cue for the camera!

Many thanks to Park Director, Sean McKeown and the staff of Fota Wildlife Park for maintaining such a wonderful attraction on our doorstep.

Mouse over the image below to activate the slide show. Enjoy!

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