This is the last day of 2008.

Tomorrow is my birthday ... I have never met anyone else with New Year Day as their birthday.

I am now in the process of uploading some of my "Dublin Zoo" photographs.



When Dublin Zoo first opened in 1830, the animals, which were supplied by London Zoo, were considered exhibits. People rushed to catch a glimpse of wild and wonderful creatures they had only heard about but never seen.

In fact during an open day in 1838 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Coronation, the Zoo welcomed 20,000 visitors - an attendance record that still stands to this day. These days the role of the Zoo is very different. It's about building a sustainable future for wildlife as their natural habitats shrink, and, in some cases, disappear altogether.

It's about engendering a sympathetic attitude towards animals and showing how they really live.

DID YOU KNOW?
In 1838 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Coronation, the Zoo welcomed 20,000 visitors

And it's about the conservation of species under threat - which is why Dublin Zoo is an active participant in a highly successful breeding programme with 200 other European Zoos.