Ciaran McMahon

Team Leader - West Section

Elephants and Carnivores

Elephants and Carnivores

How long have you been working in Dublin Zoo?
I started at Dublin zoo on the 10th of February 1995. I started as a general assistant working with animals and on the grounds. It soon became clear to me that I wanted to spend all my working time looking after animals. With this in mind I obtained the relevant qualifications and became a zookeeper in 1998. I recently became a team leader in the West section.

What kind of animals do you take care of?
Primates, elephants and carnivores.

Which are your favourite animals in the Zoo?
Elephants and tigers.

Do you have any pets at home?
One dog.

What do you love most about your job?
The diversity of the job and the interaction with the public which we as zookeepers have on a daily basis.

What was one of your most memorable moments in the Zoo?
My most memorable moment was the birth of our first Asian elephant calf Asha.

What’s the most difficult thing about your work?
The most difficult thing about the job is when you lose an animal that you may have looked after for many years.

When you’re not working in the zoo, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I love playing golf, reading and spending time with my family.