Dublin Zoo has announced the arrival of three new animals to its rainforest house habitat – a southern tamandua and a pair of golden lion tamarins.

The new arrivals join over 400 animals at Dublin Zoo and staff say they are confident they are settling in well.

“We are thrilled to welcome Freddy and Andrea, our new golden lion tamarins, and Valentine the southern tamandua to Dublin Zoo,” said Eddie O’Brien, team leader at Dublin Zoo.

“All three of our new arrivals have been getting comfortable in their new homes.”

Sixteen-year-old golden lion tamarin Freddy and fourteen-year-old Andrea both arrived from Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz, Spain.

Named for their red manes, golden lion tamarins are small, social primates.

They are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservations Red List (IUCN), with an estimated 1,000 individuals left in the wild. 

Valentine, the one-year-old southern tamandua, was born on Valentines Day 2025.

He came to Dublin Zoo from Zoo Olomouch in the Czech Republic.

Southern tamanduas are a type of anteater, and are often called lesser anteaters because they are much smaller than their relative, the giant anteater.

Native to Central and South America, they are comfortable both in trees and on the ground.

Visitors to the zoo will find Valentine at the Rainforest House habitat, where he will be sharing an enclosure with Tony the lowland paca and the Linné’s two-toed sloths. 

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers announced the reopening of the zoo’s rainforest house habitat in April 2026 following two years of renovations.

The habitat aims to recreate the complex ecosystems of tropical regions.

And features lush vegetation, controlled climate systems, and carefully designed environments that support the natural behaviours of its resident species.

The habitat which is located near the Great Lawn, was formerly known as the South American House. And is one of the oldest structures in the Zoo, dating back to the 1860s.

To celebrate the new arrivals, Dublin Zoo is offering free admission for kids from September 13th until the 27th.

Róisín Healy, Marketing Manager at Dublin Zoo, said: 

“We are inviting families to welcome our fantastic new arrivals to Dublin Zoo by bringing one child in free per adult ticket.

“September is the perfect time to visit the Zoo and get wild before winter kicks in.”