European bison, Humboldt penguins, Sulawesi crested macaques, maras and flamingos are just some of the endangered species that have been born here in recent months. Last week saw the birth of a baby giraffe in Dublin Zoo, while two bison calves are said to be thriving in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.

"Breeding programmes are very important, both for increasing the numbers of an endangered species and also for ensuring the animals don't have incestuous relationships that would be damaging to the breed, " said Dr Neil Stronach of Fota. "The animals we have here are very special and are ambassadors of their kind.

Some are endangered, others are being bred to prevent them being endangered in the future."

By the end of the second world war, the European bison breed was practically extinct, with just 13 of these heaviest of land animals left in western Europe.

Through careful breeding of the small herd, their numbers have risen to 3,500. Fota acquired a bull and two cows from Sweden several years ago and now boasts a small herd of bison, including their most recent arrivals, Jan and Erica.

"We also have a herd of scimitar-horned oryx, who were saved by captive breeding, " said Stronach. In the '50s and '60s, this deerlike animal's population went from hundreds of thousands to almost nothing. They have now been wiped out from their natural habitat of northern Africa but have been bred in zoos and wildlife parks around Europe and are being re-introduced to Tunisia.

In Dublin Zoo, there was great delight last week at the birth of a male giraffe, who has not yet been introduced to the public.

The last few months have represented a busy period for zookeepers, with the recent births of an elephant calf, a young Sulawesi crested macaque and a mara . . . a South American mammal that resembles a small deer.

"Our keepers are on the spot seven days a week and always know when an animal is expecting, " said the director of Dublin Zoo, Leo Oosterweghel. "But sometimes the mating dates might be wrong and we'll have an earlier birth than expected. That's always a nice surprise."

The first-ever birth of an elephant in Ireland caused nationwide excitement last month, with suggestions coming in from all around the country as to what name should be bestowed on the young female. The calf 's aunt, Yasmin, is due to give birth early next year and keepers are hoping for another female.

"With elephants, it's always easier if it's a female as when males reach a certain age because they have to leave the herd and live a separate life, " said Oosterweghel. "But our new calf is doing really well and she is being carefully minded by her mother, Bernhardine, as well as Yasmin and Anak [Yasmin's calf]. Elephants are a lovely breed in that they always look out for each other and learn from each other."

Keeping an eye on an elephant's 22-month pregnancy is a tricky business for keepers, who watch Yasmin at all times and use a cup to take urine samples so they can test her hormones. Another tricky situation is the gender of the newborn macaque, which remains a mystery.

"The mother is incredibly protective of her young and hasn't let it go for even a second, " said Oosterweghel.

"So keepers are watching to see when it pees. If it comes in a little curve, it means it's a boy. So we should know soon enough."

Tigers, snow leopards and white rhinos are all taking part in breeding programmes in the zoo and keepers have their "fingers crossed" that a result will come sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, in Donegal, the first golden eagle chick to be hatched in Ireland in nearly 100 years is beginning to lose its fur and preparing to fly. "Our programme is about reintroducing these rare birds back to their natural habitat, " said the Golden Eagle Project manager, Lorcan O'Toole. "Golden eagles were common in Ireland before they were hunted out of existence.

Since 2001, we have released 46 birds from Scotland. Eagles take four to five years to mature, which is why we're seeing our first chick now."

There were fears for the little chick's chances of survival, but it has grown stronger and is expected to fledge at the start of next month. "Our hope is that we will soon be able to reestablish a viable population around the country, " said O'Toole.

"Worldwide, we have made a mess of and excluded a lot of wild animals from their natural habitat, " said Stronach.

"Captive breeding programmes can often be slow, particularly if they are a last-ditch attempt. But when they are viable and have positive effects on the population, they can make a real difference."