Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD has announced €700,000 in additional funding to support biodiversity conservation programmes at Fota Wildlife Park, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The funding will secure the future of initiatives for threatened native species including the Natterjack Toad, White‑clawed Crayfish, Curlew, Dunlin and Corncrake. It will also strengthen delivery of actions under the fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan, supporting off‑site conservation management and public engagement.

Fota Wildlife Park, which attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually, plays a central role in education and outreach on biodiversity. Its staff work closely with NPWS on species recovery programmes, combining captive rearing with reintroduction to the wild.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Sullivan said Fota had been “doing fantastic work with the NPWS for many years to give the best possible start to some of our most vulnerable species”. He said the funding would ensure the continuation of programmes that rear young animals in captivity until they are resilient enough to be released back into the wild.

Aileen Tennant, Director of Fota Wildlife Park, said the support was “a vital intervention” that would secure investment in Ireland’s biodiversity infrastructure. “With NPWS’ support and partnership, we are engaging in important native species projects, from releasing over 13,000 natterjack toadlets into the wild to supporting breeding waders and rescuing endangered white‑clawed crayfish. This funding also helps us continue our research and education work, reaching more than 17,500 students each year.”

Among the programmes supported are the Natterjack Toad recovery project in Kerry, captive breeding of White‑clawed Crayfish, headstarting of Curlew and Dunlin, and ongoing research and rehabilitation of Corncrake.