Dublin Zoo will be investigated after claims of animal welfare concerns were raised by a whistleblower to Labour Senator Annie Hoey.
A spokesman for the Department of Housing, which oversees Dublin Zoo, told Dublin Live that "a full investigation of the allegations will be undertaken by the Department’s zoo inspection and licensing unit."
The Zoo has "vehemently disputed" the claims and told Dublin Live that it "had called for an independent investigation into these allegations." It also said it "welcome the decision of the Zoos inspectorate, based in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to carry out an independent investigation of the allegations."
Read more: Dublin Zoo 'vehemently disputes' animal welfare concerns raised by whistleblower to Senator
Senator Annie Hoey told the Seanad earlier this month that she has had meetings with "both former and current staff members of Dublin Zoo" who made claims to her "a number of breaches of freedoms for animals" at the Zoo. The Senator said "the most detailed accounts" of such alleged breaches were recently made to her by a whistleblower via protected disclosure.
"Regarding animal welfare violations in Dublin Zoo I have been told by the whistleblower that there has been serious welfare issues, near misses, safety and management concerns at Dublin Zoo," Senator Hoey told the Seanad.
Senator Hoey got emotional as she began speaking about the case of the famous Harry the Gorilla.
"I want to tell you about Harry, the...
; ; ; agreed to pay $17.07 million to settle federal allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices on Friday, marking the Justice Department's first resolution unde...