Media Release
9th July 2012
Dublin Zoo Welcomes Bull Elephant Upali to the Herd
Bull elephant will be the largest animal in the Zoo
Today (Monday July 9), in a particularly large unveiling ceremony at the Kaziranga Forest Trail,
Dublin Zoo welcomed one of the most highly anticipated arrivals in many years - Upali an Asian
bull elephant. Upali arrived from Chester Zoo at midnight on Thursday July 5.
Upali is now the largest animal at Dublin Zoo. He is 17 years old, measures 3 metres tall and
weighs over 6,000kgs, equivalent to the weight of ten Friesian cows.
Upali’s arrival is a momentous development for both the Zoo and the international breeding
programme as he joins three breeding females - sisters Bernhardine and Yasmin, and Yasmin’s
calf Anak.
It is expected that the elephants will mate soon and double the size of the Dublin Zoo herd over
the coming years.
Preparation for Upali’s arrival began last September when construction of the bull elephant
house commenced. To accommodate Upali comfortably, the purpose built structure, which was
designed and project managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), is 200 square metres with
a glass ceiling, radiant heating and 1.5 metre deep sand for the elephant to stand on.
Development of the bull elephant house was made possible through funding awarded to Dublin
Zoo, by the Government and administered by OPW. Since 1994 the funding has enabled Dublin
Zoo to redevelop and create habitats such as The World of Primates, The World of Cats, The
Fringes of the Arctic, The African Plains, The Gorilla Rainforest and The Kaziranga Forest Trail. In
addition, the funding allowed Dublin Zoo to improve veterinary and horticulture facilities and
refurbish the historic Haughton House.
Speaking at the ceremony Leo Oosterweghel, director at Dublin Zoo, said, “Upali’s arrival is a
hugely significant occasion for us as part of the international breeding programme.
He continued, “We are especially pleased to have Minster Brian Hayes with us today to
celebrate the arrival of Upali and opening of the Bull Elephant House. We are also very grateful
to the Government and the OPW for the funding and technical support they have provided over
the past 18 years. Without the commitment from the government we could not have
transformed Dublin Zoo into Ireland’s number 1 family attraction with over 1 million visitors per
annum.”
Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works
(OPW), stated that, “I am delighted to be here today to welcome the arrival of Upali and also
the opening of the new Bull Elephant House. My office, the OPW, have worked closely with the
Zoo over many years and the result of this collaboration is evident throughout the Zoo and its
many new developments. I congratulate Dublin Zoo on becoming one of both my own personal
and indeed the nation's favourite visitor attractions."
Asian Elephants
Asian elephants are endangered and it is estimated that only 30,000 – 40,000 exist in the wild.
Facts about Dublin Zoo’s heard of Asian elephants:

Upali is the largest animal in Dublin Zoo. He is 17 years old, measures 3 metres tall and
weighs 6,000kgs.

Bernhardine arrived at Dublin Zoo in October 2006. ‘Dina’ is the oldest female and the
matriarch of the group. She is 25 years old, weighs approximately 3,700kgs and
measures 2.75 metres tall. Dina is a calm, steady and easy-going elephant.

Yasmin is Dina’s sister and arrived at Dublin Zoo in 2007. Yasmin, a 19 old female weighs
approx 4,000kgs and measures 2.75 metres tall.

Anak was born to Yasmin in 2004 in Rotterdam Zoo. She weighs 2,200kgs and measures
2 metres tall. Anak is a very confident young elephant.

Asha was the first elephant calf born in the Republic of Ireland and was born to mum
Dina in February 2007. She now weighs 1,400kgs, measures 1.5 metres tall and is still
very playful.
Visitors can see Upali, Bernhardine, Yasmin, Anak and Asha at the Kaziranga Forest Trail daily.
You can also keep an eye on the herd on the elephant webcam by visiting the website
www.dublinzoo.ie.
The keeper talk ‘Elephant Encounters’ happens at 12.30pm every day so this is a good time to
visit the Kaziranga Forest Trail to learn more about Upali and the female Asian elephants.
Dublin Zoo, a not for profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm. For
further information on Dublin Zoo visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo, www.dublinzoo.ie
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Kelley Cousins or Keira Doyle
Pembroke Communications
Tel: 00 353 1 649 6490 / 086 269 5953 or 00 353 1 679 6335 / 086 269 4460
[email protected]
Notes to Editor:

In addition to Upali’s arrival, Dublin Zoo’s youngest member of the elephant group,
Budi, moved to Antwerp Zoo on July 4 as part of the international breeding programme.
This move is the first stage of Budi’s integration with other herds where he will continue
to mature and will eventually breed.
Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is a not for profit organisation, registered charity number CHY 2964. Since Dublin Zoo first
opened its doors in 1830, its 28 hectares has been transformed with the support of the Irish public and
now attracts over 1 million visitors a year. All funds received by Dublin Zoo including gate takings,
donations and sponsorships are directly invested into the day to day management, running and up keep
of Dublin Zoo’s animals, their habitats and conservation projects.
Modern Zoos, like Dublin Zoo, adhere to strict codes of practice in animal welfare laid down by
European and Global Associations. Animals at Dublin Zoo therefore live enriched lives in natural social
groups in order to encourage breeding and raising young. Through such organisations, partnerships
among Zoo’s and other kindred institutions, leads to opportunities for co-operative research in
conservation, biological and veterinary sciences.
Dublin Zoo is managed by caring, qualified and accredited zoo professionals who devote their lives to
the welfare of animals at Dublin Zoo. Dublin Zoo works in partnership with zoos worldwide to conserve
bio-diversity on earth and financially supports a variety of conservation projects supporting great apes,
tigers, rhinos, golden lion tamarins, African wild dogs and eagles.
Dublin Zoo is easily accessible by bus, LUAS, and train and is open everyday with the exception of
Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day (26th December). Admission prices and opening times can all be
found on the website. Dublin Zoo is accessible by the less-abled and manual wheel chairs are available
on request.