In 2014, Tayto Park launched a fund-raising init iative with the World Land Trust (WLT) and the Brit ish and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) known as the ?BUY AN ACRE? CHALLENGE. The protection of precious

habitat in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in Central Mexico allows us to contribute directly to in-situ conservation. Many of the species which visitors will encounter at Tayto Park such as; the stunning puma, tayra, coatis and Harris hawk directly benefit from this fund-raising init iative as their wild counterparts inhabit this region. Tayto Park has raised in excess of ?5,000.00 and have set a goal of another ?5,000.00 for 2015. This money will buy approximately 100 acres of land which will become a protected area for wildlife. The 'Buy an Acre' Challenge will remain one of our key conservation fund-raising init iatives throughout the year.

Amur Leopar d and Tiger Al l iance (ALTA)

Spring/Summer 2015

nEW cLASSROOM : 2015 marks the formal launch of our in-house education programme. Our new classroom is nestled high in the sky overlooking the tiger and bison enclosures at the zoo. While also offering bril l iant views of the Irish landscape and a fantastic view of our brand new ?Dinosaurs Alive? exhibit. Designed to enchant children of all ages the classroom is an invit ing atmosphere for learning and discovery. Our very successful outreach programme, 'Wildlife on Wheels' bringing the zoo to you will continue. To date our outreach programme has brought wildlife and biodiversity modules to over 4000 students in schools across Ireland.

Conservat ion, Educat ion & Research

CONSERVATION 'BUY AN ACRE' - chal l enge

Spearheading a number of conservation init iatives the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA) is a coalit ion of 15 international and Russian NGO?s. Some of the organizations which make up this coalit ion include; the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), Wildlife Vets International (WVI) and the Phoenix Fund.

100% of ALL donations given to ALTA go directly to f ield work such as conducting camera trap activit ies in the Nezhinskoe Hunting Lease in the Northern sector of the Land of the Leopard National Park (LLNP). Donations also enable areas surveyed by the ALTA team to double in size. Survey areas now cover the northern section of the leopard range within the LLNP and outside the park. Funding also helps ALTA to compensate deer farmers who lose livestock to leopards. Tayto Park is proud that we have been able to donate in excess of ?18,000.00 to ALTA. This was made possible through our combined efforts of manufacturing and distributing ALTA t-shirts, ranger presentations involving our Amur leopards, and collection points for donations throughout the park. Tayto Park will continue to support this important conservation organization for as long as funding is needed for the crit ically endangered Amur leopard.

Bat Conservation Ireland, promote the conservation of bats by circulating educational materials, hosting talks and leading bat walks. In addition, Bat Conservation Ireland organizes nationwide surveys and monitoring of bats. Tayto Park was very pleased to have Dr. Tina Augney conduct a bat survey in July at the Park. There are 11 species of bats found in Ireland, 9 of which are considered resident. Of the 9 resident species three were detected foraging in the park including: the soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri) and the

common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). Roosting sites have been added in and around the park on the advice of Dr. Aughney. In 2014 we also conducted an evening training course for staff and local university students. Using heterodyne bat detectors participants became well versed in surveying techniques, proper use of detector as well as monitoring methods focusing on data and species using the park environs. Five staff members went on to take part in the Daubenton Bat Waterway Monitoring Survey. The scheme is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht (DAHG), and the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Environmental Agency. Tina's expertise is welcomed and the partnership with Bat Conservation Ireland will enable Tayto Park to contribute in a meaningful way to the conservation of local species.

In 2013, Tayto Park joined the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) and their cit izen science project known as the Bumblebee Monitoring Scheme. Bumblebees are Ireland?s most signif icant wild pollinator. Participation in this scheme enables the NBDC to track changes and detect early warning signs of general threats to bumblebees and the service they provide. In 2014, Tayto Park hosted a Regional Pollinator Workshop. It was a fantastic opportunity for visitors and members of the local community to advance their skil ls in identifying and monitoring both bumblebees? and butterf l ies. Workshops also encourage participation in the monitoring schemes which are vital to the success of the init iative. 2015 is an important year for the scheme as the NBDC and their partners

LEISLER'S BAT ON PIECE OF BARK

BAT CONSERVATION IRELAND

t hank you f or your

donat ions!

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DATA CENTRE

will introduce the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020. The plan provides signif icant framework to join together various pollinator init iatives across Ireland. It will mark the beginning of a development by which collective positive steps can be taken to protect Irish pollinators and the service they provide into the future. We plan to be a part of its success!

Tayto Park staff also contribute to the Butterf ly Monitoring Scheme. Butterf l ies are not only important pollinators but serve as a food source to birds and other animals. Butterf l ies have a short l ife-cycle and are sensitive to climate change and make an ideal biodiversity indicator species. The monitoring scheme allows the NBDC to track changes to Irish butterf ly populations. The

monitoring scheme began in 2007 and involves walking a f ixed route each week from April to August and recording all species sightings. The data is used for analyses and trend projection. 2015 will mark our 3rd year recording pollinators as part of the Bumblebee and Butterf ly Monitoring Schemes.

RED KITE COURTESY OF GOLDEN EAGLE TRUST

GOLDEN EAGLE TRUST

Founded in 1999,the Golden Eagle Trust Limited, is a charity dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Ireland?s native birds and habitats. Tayto Park is proud to have contributed more than ?5,800.00 to the Golden Eagle Trust in the last two years. For our visitors living in and around North Co. Dublin the work of the Golden Eagle Trust can be appreciated; as re-introduced Red Kites can be spotted soaring in the skies above. We will continue to support the Golden Eagle Trust both through fund-raising and giving our time as volunteers. The Golden Eagle Trust is an important conservation organization dedicated to the restoration of extirpated (locally extinct) wildlife species and we plan to support them for many years to come. In 2015, we hope to host a talk with Dr. Marc Rudduck, project manager Red Kites so that he may update visitors on the progress of the Red Kite Reintroduction Programme as well as other programmes. supported by the Golden Eagle Trust.

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY

Grassland Ecology Module: 3.5 hours, includes lecture, habitat study, results and write-up. Suited for both Junior and Leaving Certif icate levels. ?13.00 per student.

Conservat ion and Stewardship Module: 2.0 hours, this module is suited for Civil Social and Polit ical Education (CSPE) and Transition Year students. Students will explore the role of Zoos and Wildlife Conservation. Module includes; lecture, f ield and workshop activit ies. ?12.00 per student.

Animal Behaviour Workshop: 2.0 hours. Students will participate in a behavioural study of a

chosen animal at the park. Working in groups students will; observe, record, interpret and discuss animal behaviours. Behaviours will be catalogued in an ethogram and students will be able to quantify how their selected animal spends its t ime.

Fantastic interactive and engaging module for TY, 5th and 6th Year students. Module includes; lecture, observations, worksheet and group discussion. ?12.00 per student

Tailored Programme: Speak with our education department today to build a programme especially for your students.

New On-Si te PRIMARY Educat ion classes l aunching w i th our School Tour Pr ogr am 2015

Dinosaurs Al ive: Special talk and guided tour with our education off icer at our brand new ?Dinosaurs Alive? Exhibit featuring amazing animatronic dinosaurs. Students will take part in engaging, hands-on activit ies and will explore a day in the life of a paleontologists by participating in a special fossil dig. Suitable for all Primary

Classes.

Fur, Feathers & Scales: This workshop is an interactive and hands-on live animal experience! Students will learn basic animal classif ication in a rich and dynamic setting situated in our brand new learning center the ?Sky Classroom?. Suitable for all Primary Classes.

Duration: 60 Minutes ?5.00 per student park entry is not included.

Wildl i fe on Wheels:

Outreach programme - We bring the Zoo to YOU!

Contact our education department for more information about our Irish Wildlife, Biodiversity Explored and Fur, Feathers & Scales classes.

connect your cl ass wit h t he nat ur al wor l d.

EDUCATIONSecondar y pr ogr amme

Pr imar y pr ogr amme

Tayto Park is pleased to participate in a variety of research projects with MSc students from University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). In 2014, four MSc students took part in pilot studies, producing quality original research as part of their coursework for their MSc

programme. Pilot studies enable us to make informed decisions on projects we wish to further explore and develop. We conducted studies relating to the effect of visitor density and noise on the behaviour of felids as well as behavioural enrichment in the promotion of species specif ic behaviour. Internally, our team focused on the effects of construction noise and new attractions on the behaviour of our tigers. As the park expands this data and evidence is integral to the welfare of our animals and the future development of our zoo and park. At Tayto Park the focus of our research will always be conducted to benefit the welfare and husbandry of the animals in our collection.

Cal endar

RESEARCH

Call ing al l paleontologists to join us for an amazing adventure. Journey back in time to the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs r uled the ear th.

DINOSAURS ALIVE

in 2014 we car r ied out bot h in - house and st udent l ed r esear ch pr oj ect s at tayt o par k.

GARA AND CAHN OUR TWO AMUR TIGERS

Back by popular demand our BIG BUG BONANZA. Get ready to face your fears and meet and greet some of our favourite 6 and 8 legged f riends!

AUGUST 3- 9

Global Tiger Day - Join us for special talks and presentat ions at our Amur t iger exhibit ion as we celebrate everything TIGERS!

JULY 29