Santa to help with Fota Wildlife Park’s reopening

Santa Claus is to make an appearance at Fota Wildlife Park this week as it welcomes back visitors back following its official reopening after a 10-week closure due to an outbreak of bird flu.

To add to the festive atmosphere, Santa Claus will be on walkabout at Fota Wildlife Park today from 11am to 1.30pm, before returning to the North Pole to resume his busy Christmas schedule.

Visitors are reminded that Fota Wildlife Park will be closed on December 24, 25, and 26 and will reopen following the Christmas break on Saturday, December 27, at 9.30am.

With Christmas Day fast approaching, the park also highlighted that online gift vouchers remain available for a last-minute present for loved ones, and as a way to support conservation, education, and animal care.

A spokesperson for the park thanked everyone for the recent outpouring of support and said they look forward to welcoming visitors over the festive season and into the New Year. To pre-book tickets, go to www.fotawildlife.ie.

On Saturday, the park was formally reopened by minister of state Christopher O’Sullivan, at a festive event that was attended by invited guests and their families. Mr O’Sullivan recently announced additional funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to support the continuation of vital biodiversity conservation programmes.

Aileen Tennant, director of Fota Wildlife Park, said: “After what has been a very challenging period, we are absolutely delighted to welcome visitors back through the gates of Fota Wildlife Park. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it means a great deal to our dedicated team, who have worked tirelessly to care for our animals and to prepare the Park for its reopening.

“We are deeply grateful to the public and wider community for their continued support, including the generous donations, purchases, and remarkable goodwill shown over recent weeks by visitors, annual pass holders, and stakeholders. We are delighted to be open again and to once more share many special moments with our visitors.

“We are also sincerely grateful to the NPWS and to the State for their recent financial intervention, which has secured critical investment in Ireland’s conservation infrastructure, ensuring that we can continue to deliver biodiversity recovery work.”