€1.6 million in State funding will be given to the zoo sector, the Government has confirmed.
It includes €1.1 million to be shared between Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park to 'support them through some of their current difficulties'.
In total, 71 zoos and aquaria will be supported by the funding.
The announcement comes just days after the launch of Dublin Zoo's fundraising campaign, which they launched amid warnings the zoo's future was at stake due to the sharp drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign has already raised more than €2 million.
Heritage Minister Darragh O'Brien said: “I joined the thousands of people all over Ireland in ‘adopting’ and animal from Dublin Zoo this week.
"I think the campaign, which had a global reach and was featured in the New York Times, shows just how loved our zoos are and how they are an important place for making memories. I am delighted that our Department was in a position to help."
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan noted that the State 'does not ordinarily provide funding' for zoos, but 2020 has proven an 'incredibly challenging year'.
