Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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592. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the cause of a death of a hippo in Dublin Zoo (details supplied); and the steps that have been taken by the zoo to avoid this reoccurring. [16546/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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593. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an independent investigation will be carried out into the condition of hippos in Dublin Zoo after contact by an organisation (details supplied); if the results of that investigation will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16547/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 592 and 593 together.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive).

Recently on 4 and 5 March 2025, the NPWS undertook a special inspection at Dublin Zoo in which the hippos were assessed. The inspectors who undertake these welfare inspections are separate to those that undertake the annual zoo inspections. The medical post-mortem reports were reviewed in relation to 'Ernie' and the inspectors had no concerns in relation to the findings.The inspection raised no concerns with regard to the management of the hippos.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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594. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to respond to the call by an organisation (details supplied) to phase out the keeping of elephants in Dublin Zoo; whether he accepts the evidence provided; and whether he will announce a phase out of elephants from Dublin Zoo, starting with a prohibition on breeding and a ban on the import of elephants to Ireland. [16548/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) in my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive).

The purpose of the Directive relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos is to protect wild fauna and to conserve biodiversity by providing for the adoption of measures by Member States for the licensing and inspection of zoos in the EU, thereby strengthening the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity. The Regulations are supported by the Irish Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, developed to assist zoos and aquaria to comply with exiting legislation and the meet the highest possible standards of welfare for the animals in their care.

The NPWS is not responsible for the operational activities of zoos and there are no plans to make the changes suggested.