It is understood that the county council have reached an agreement with a national wildlife park to house a number of animals in the Knockmealdown Mountains, as a pressure on habitat space continues to affect not only the human population, but our feathered and four-legged friends too.
Recently, the Animal Protection and Rehabilitation Institute of Limerick confirmed that they were at ‘full capacity’ following the birth of a protected Asian elephant at the Athea site. Anticipating a ‘full house’ for some time, management at the park have been exploring alternative habitats and in a recently published report explained how the Knockmealdown Mountains represent a “rich area of environmental beauty” not yet capitalised on fully.
Speaking with The Avondhu, Mr Bo Ovis, Animal Diversity and Inclusion officer, said that the introduction of small mammals would likely be ‘just the beginning’.
“First and foremost, we want to assure residents that the inclusion of animals has been carefully curated. While right now we are including only small mammals, omnivores and some exotic birds, this is just the beginning. The rhododendrons are absolutely ideal for large primates like the gibbon or the howler monkey – it would be a shame to miss the opportunity – while the lake itself is a picture-perfect watering hole straight out of ‘The Lion King’”.
He went on to confirm that one of the first animals to make their way to The Vee would be a Capybara, a semi-aquatic large rodent similar to a beaver, as well as a number of macaws which, due to their attractive colouring, are felt to be safely at home in Tipperary.
It is understood that the parrots have already picked up the region’s accent and are familiar with the phrase ‘He’s a quare hawk’.
Mr Ovis also noted that The Animal Protection and Rehabilitation Institute of Limerick (A.P.R.I.L) currently have an excess number of flamingoes that “we feel would ideally capture the ambiance The Vee”. However, the arrival of the flamingoes has been delayed after the flock took a wrong turn in flight over Fermoy last Friday evening, with their tracking devices showing them to be somewhere north of Macroom at the time of going to press.
DEER MANAGEMENT
The local council, meanwhile, are hedging their bets on the increased tourism potential that the animals might generate, as well as providing a potential solution to the expanding deer population.
Early rumours that lions and tigers would be amongst the animals introduced was met with some outrage. The proposal, if adopted, would be one solution to the ‘deer issue’. However, speaking online one local said that the introduction was going ‘too far’.
“It would be a massacre. This isn’t the Savannah! What if the lions come down into Clogheen, or into Ballyporeen? How are we going to explain that?”
Other online commentators pointed out that walkers may be discouraged from visiting the area if they thought they were going to be eaten, and others raised concerns about the impact on a ‘Tidy Towns’ ranking if there were animal carcasses on the streets or in the vicinity, or if lions’ roaring could be heard from nearby villages.
Speaking with The Avondhu, the council declined to say if carnivores were being considered for the area. However, they did confirm that rhino, zebras and bison were all to be introduced before the summer months. It is hoped that these will provide the deer with some competition in terms of food and habitat, however hope that any ‘trophy hunters’ will steer clear of the pristine habitat to allow the various species to thrive.
In a statement, to be published nationally this weekend on April 1st, the council stated that they were ‘always seeking sustainable solutions to environmental issues”.
“The council is pleased to be part of this innovative programme, and look forward to seeing the outcome. While the council has made no decision with regards to carnivorous animals, we continue to be open to all possibilities.”
