Dublin Zoo has said it lost €3.8m while it was closed during the lockdown.

The zoo said it could have welcomed 200,000 visitors during the 11 weeks it was closed.

It has reopened today with a range new public health rules in place to protect visitors.

All the indoor areas remain closed and only 500 visitors are allowed in the grounds at any one time.

Three happy children, Eddie, Isla and Aria heading into Dublin Zoo as it reopens this morning.

They usually go three times a week and the flamingos were the most missed. pic.twitter.com/HkQPDZomrT

— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) June 2, 2020

Head of Marketing Emma Kiernan said visiting the zoo will be quite different in the coming months.

“All our indoor habitats are not open,” she said. “Our catering, our retailing and our playgrounds are also closed.

“Some of the animals are also off view – such as the Amur tigers because it would be such a tight viewing space.”

Two-year-old Matthew McClelland at the reopening of Dublin Zoo today. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Zoo Director Leo Oosterweghel said the zoo took a serious financial hit over the 11-week closure.

“Luckily we had some reserves so we could survive – but thankfully we are earning some money again.”

All visits to the zoo must be booked in advance online and the 500 people that are allowed in at once represents just 10% of normal capacity.

Visitors must also follow a one-way route throughout the zoo with strict social distancing measures n place at all times.

Aria O Connell aged 1 with Isla aged 5 and Eddie aged 7 at the reopening of Dublin Zoo today, 02-06-2020. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Mr Oosterweghel said the zoo’s priority in the coming months will be “the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, visitors and the continued provision of world-class animal care.”

“It is important to stress that this is a trial period for Dublin Zoo and patience and understanding will be required from visitors as we navigate our new pre-booking system, two daily opening sessions and one-way walking route,” he said.

“We have worked hard to ensure Dublin Zoo can once again reopen to the public, but health and safety come first, and we ask all visitors to bear that in mind when coming to see us.”

The zoo is reminding people that under current Government restrictions, they can only visit if the live within 5km of the zoo.

With reporting from Kacey O'Riordan