Speaking at the first members' breakfast of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland for the season on Saturday, Lord Holm-Patrick, who presided, said that owing to the war very large stocks of animals had been held up in India, Africa and South America which friends of the society had ready to send home. If all these had been despatched, the "Zoo" would have been full up. One very big loss was a pair of chimpanzees which Mr West Pierce was bringing from West Africa. Mr Pierce had paid the freight and had brought the chimpanzees to the boat, when the captain refused to take them.
Owing to the rise in the cost of feeding stuffs, the Council was compelled to stop the half price days on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Since the 1st of January, 1940, to the end of April 44,094 people visited the gardens, as compared with 44,893 in 1939.
Since the beginning of the year two dog-faced baboons, one pair of llamas, one Highland cow, a pair of Siamese cats, two pine martens, a blue-fronted Amazon parrot, a pair of blue pies and various other birds had arrived in the gardens. Four dingo pups were born in the gardens, and all were doing well.
The Irish Times, May 6th, 1940.