The Zoological Society of Ireland (ZSI) is the body responsible for running Dublin Zoo, where it is based, and Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork.[1] It is the successor to the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland (RZSI), a learned society for the study of zoology.[2]
The original ZSI was founded in Dublin on 10 May 1830 at a meeting in the Rotunda Hospital called and chaired by the Duke of Leinster, "to form a collection of living animals on the plan to the Zoological Society of London".[3] Dublin Zoo opened in September 1831 in the Phoenix Park.[3] The Society's first general meeting was held in November 1832.[4] In 1838, the Zoo held an open day to mark the coronation of Queen Victoria and the Society was rewarded with the prefix "Royal" in its name.[4]
In October 1993, the members of the RZSI voted to dissolve the society and transfer its assets to a new non-profit limited company called "Zoological Society of Ireland Limited".[5] This was to facilitate government and private funding arrangements for future development.[5] Responsibility for government assistance was transferred at the same time from the Department of Education to the Office of Public Works.[5]