FOTA Wildlife Park

Dub13 · 24-03-2005 1:15pm #1

Has anybody ever been...?if so whats it like...?I am thinking of heading away for a night and may take it in.

Mimikyu · 24-03-2005 1:18pm

This post has been deleted.

dudara · 24-03-2005 1:56pm

I loved going to Fota as a kid, and to be honest I still enjoy going. Make a day of it, bring food for a picnic. There's plenty of tables around to eat at.

Dublin Zoo has more animals alright, but in Fota they're all spread out and have far more room.

clairey · 24-03-2005 2:27pm

I love fota!! defo go n check it out

Mossy Monk · 24-03-2005 2:38pm

havent been for years but enjoyed it

simu · 24-03-2005 2:50pm

it's lovely - much more peaceful than Dublin Zoo. Make sure you check out the grounds of the old house as well as the zoo itself - they've got some very unusual trees there!

joejoem · 24-03-2005 3:00pm

simu wrote:

it's lovely - much more peaceful than Dublin Zoo. Make sure you check out the grounds of the old house as well as the zoo itself - they've got some very unusual trees there!

:eek: :eek: :eek: UNUSUAL TREES?????? I AM SO THERE!!!!!!!!!

Fast_Mover · 24-03-2005 3:23pm

fota-ya great day out for the kids and as simu said its way more peaceful than dublin zoo...east cork a lovely place..if i do say so myself..lol

tinkerbell · 24-03-2005 4:00pm

I went to FOTA when I was in primary school and it kicked ass. The animals had loads of room, and the whole place was very open. I even got chased by ostriches (that was so scary!!)

deRanged · 24-03-2005 4:13pm

tinkerbell wrote:

I even got chased by ostriches (that was so scary!!)

Probably an emu. they're left roam the paths, the ostriches are kept in the enclusure. I've heard the staff describe the male ostrich as the most dangerous thing in the park. He's very intimidating if he takes a dislike to you and starts posturing. (even with the ditch and fence).

Fota is great - if you can manage it get in right as the park opens. they feed the animals around then, and that's the best time to see them. They're most animated, and the ones waiting for the jeep with the food will be acting up and generally being very entertaining.

There are some animals left roam freely - emus like I said above, maras (a type of hare from south america a.k.a. fox fodder), capybara (worlds largest rodent, and so lazy it lies down to eat), wallabies, squirrel monkeys, ring tailed lemurs and more. These will be around the park somewhere. If the pack of lemurs and squirrel monkeys surrounds you it;s like a scene from aliens - they're in the trees above you, you hear them and get glimpses but you can't see them properly. Next thing you know there;s one on your shoulder with it's hand in your bag of crisps!

If we spot people walking through their territory with open food packets we usually hang back and watch the commotion.

Take your time and make sure you use all the small paths, watch the trees and undergrowth, otherwise you'll miss lots of stuff.

deedee lepoopoo · 24-03-2005 4:45pm

I was at Foto this time last year it was fandabbydozy. Those giant rats are scary though!!!!

It started to rain and went under a tree for sheltar and 2 kangaroos decided to sheltar beside me..... what's that skip?

They had new chicks roaming around the place also. Great place and there is a train u can get around it if those giant rats decide to chase ya.

Piste · 24-03-2005 4:52pm

I love FOTA! I used go there all the time when I was younger. I got chased by pelicans there about 10 years ago and have been teased about it ever since.

simu · 24-03-2005 5:26pm

joejoem wrote:

:eek: :eek: :eek: UNUSUAL TREES?????? I AM SO THERE!!!!!!!!!

Yup, more info here. Some are so amazing even non tree geeks will be fascinated.

gimmick · 24-03-2005 6:50pm

Great spot. I would be a regular-ish visitor, and am considering becoming a "friend of Fota". Top the day off by heading on the train to obh afterwards and having a few drinks in The Pillars and The Lusitania.