WATCH: Dublin Zoo opens unique habitat to house newly arrived endangered species

Dublin Zoo has opened a unique new habitat to welcome the arrival of an endangered nocturnal species. 

According to Dublin Zoo, Nocturnal House will be home to a brand new lemur species, the aye-aye, who are native to the island of Madagascar. 

Male Peanut and female Tahiri - who arrived from Bristol Zoo last September - will reside in the habitat alongside their offspring. 

The aye-aye - the largest nocturnal primate and related to monkeys, apes and humans - are visually striking animals, with dark brown or black fur, a bushy tail longer than their body, and large eyes and ears.

They have slender fingers including a long middle finger they use to tap on trees to listen for insects moving beneath the bark, and scoop flesh from fruits. 

The new Nocturnal House - converted from an existing building thanks to a €400,000 investment - is located just beside Himalayan Hills and Sea Lion Cove and has been built specifically to meet the needs and unique ecology of the aye-aye. 

The habitat mimics nighttime conditions, with visitors - who enter in complete darkness - guided by tiny lights on the ground. 

At night, specialised lights and UV lamps replicate daylight, encouraging the aye-ayes to sleep. 

Director of Dublin Zoo, Dr Christoph Schwitzer, said, "The launch of the new Nocturnal House, which will be home to our aye-ayes, is a wonderful moment for all of us here at Dublin Zoo. The aye-aye is a fascinating primate species, and every care has been taken to create a home for them here that takes inspiration from their natural environment in Madagascar.

"This habitat is an important milestone in our Dublin Zoo 200 plan, which aims to reposition Dublin Zoo as a zoo-based conservation organisation in time for our bicentennial celebrations in 2031. An objective of this strategy is to provide a holistic visitor attraction for all seasons, and this new Nocturnal House, the first ever such house at Dublin Zoo, is a big step towards this goal.

"We are grateful to the Irish Government, and in particular to Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan, for helping us build this habitat with a capital grant through the Office of Public Works." 

To celebrate the arrival of the aye-aye, Dublin Zoo will have plenty of educational and fun-filled activities for all ages from 12pm-4pm on Saturday July 29 and Sunday July 30, including special keeper talks, crafts, games and face painting.