Dublin Zoo says new hot tub and sauna in director lodge paid for privately after Dáil hears of pandemic refurbishment

Dublin Zoo has denied claims that it refurbished the lodge of its director “with a hot tub, sauna and an extension” during the pandemic.

The Dáil was told earlier today that the alleged refurbishments happened at a time when the zoo was begging the public for funds to keep the animals fed, in 2020 to 2021.

Dublin Zoo referred queries to its PR representative who said it categorically rejected “the unfounded assertions and allegations”. It said the director paid for the hot tub and sauna “privately” and that the extension was financed by the zoo’s own revenue.

“Save Dublin Zoo funds were exclusively allocated for animal welfare only – food, heat and veterinary bills.

“The development mentioned [an extension] was financed by the Zoo’s own revenue generated in 2021 when Covid restrictions had eased. The specific amenities mentioned, the hot tub and sauna, were private purchases paid for by the Zoo Director – absolutely no Dublin Zoo funds were used to purchase these,” the statement said.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy alleged: “The lakeside lodge where the director lives as a tenant was refurbished with a hot tub, sauna and an extension and the garden was landscaped.”

After making the assertion, he added: “It is not clear where the funds for those luxury items came from.”

The Taoiseach said he was not aware of the allegations or any evidence to support them.

But he added: “I do know there was a protected disclosure in relation to Dublin Zoo that was considered some months ago.

“It was found that the allegations did not stack up.

“But that might be a different matter, and not the one that the Deputy has raised.”

Mr Murphy alleged “the mismanagement of funds, during 2020 to 2021, as the zoo was begging for funds to keep animals fed.” He also raised issues about the well-being of staff and animals at Dublin Zoo.

“Serious allegations have been made about the mistreatment of animals, about a culture of bullying and mistreatment of staff, and about the mismanagement of funds – and there has been no independent investigation,” he said.

He offered “a few examples” of his claimed maltreatment of animals. “In October 2022, the elephant herd was divided in two and elephant bulls were left without access to fresh drinking water while in their outside habitat for nine months.

“They were using a contaminated water supply. That goes against the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Irish Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, which state that fresh water should be supplied on a daily basis.

“In early November 2023, the elephants were inappropriately sedated. They were given a powerful sedative in order to move them to Cincinnati Zoo to make them easier to manage.

“There was a plan to winch one of the female elephants into a transport crate, again against European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) best practice guidelines.”

There was a series of allegations relating to staff, Mr Murphy said, and a fundamental problem insofar as HR (human resources) had been outsourced to a company.

This entity, which he named under Dáil privilege, he claimed had “effectively ignored the issues raised by staff repeatedly”.

It is not clear why Dublin Zoo does not have its own HR department, he added.

Replying to the assertions, including that of the allegedly extended lakeside lodge and new hot tub, sauna and landscaped garden, Mr Varadkar said: “I do not really want to comment.

“I am not aware of them [the allegations] and have not seen any evidence to support them.

“But I encourage the Deputy to pass on any evidence he has to the relevant authorities, whether it is the Garda or whoever may be able to look into these matters.

“I do know there was a protected disclosure in relation to Dublin Zoo that was considered some months ago. It was found that the allegations did not stack up, but that might be a different matter and not the one the Deputy raised.”

Dublin Zoo said later it categorically rejected “the unfounded assertions and allegations” made in the Oireachtas.

A statement issued through its PR firm said: “Save Dublin Zoo funds were exclusively allocated for animal welfare only – food, heat and veterinary bills.

“The development mentioned was financed by the Zoo’s own revenue generated in 2021 when Covid restrictions had eased. The specific amenities mentioned, the hot tub and sauna, were private purchases paid for by the Zoo Director – absolutely no Dublin Zoo funds were used to purchase these. Information on how Dublin Zoo allocates annual revenue generated from gate receipts, and the specific funds from the Save Dublin Zoo campaign, is transparently detailed in our annual reports, which are publicly accessible.

“The allegations regarding our elephants are baseless and completely void of any factual accuracy. As proven by a Government investigation, the elephant herd had round the clock access to the bull house which has fresh water feeders, with the exception of less than an hour each day when the house was cleaned and enrichment provided. The allegation regarding inappropriate sedation is patently false with no evidence to support such a serious allegation.”

It continued: “Issues raised by members of staff at Dublin Zoo are treated with the utmost sensitivity and seriousness and are thoroughly investigated. Any issues raised are investigated immediately and rectified where appropriate. Staff can make disclosures through their team, Dublin Zoo management or anonymously.

“Dublin Zoo is more than happy to engage with political representatives regarding any concerns they may have and we respectfully request political representatives contact Dublin Zoo directly to fact check their information before making privileged comments in the Oireachtas. We urge them to exercise due diligence in fact-checking before making inaccurate statements in a public forum.”

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