Native Species Spotted on Site at Dublin Zoo

Become a Wildlife Detective at Dublin Zoo!

Ever noticed a buzzy bee on a flower near the African plains or a tiny ladybird crawling on a leaf by the wolf den? Dublin Zoo is home to our amazing animals, but it’s also a sanctuary for hundreds of wild Irish species – and we need your help to find them!

Join Our ‘Spotted on Site’ Team

We’re calling all nature lovers to join our special project, Spotted on Site at Dublin Zoo from 25 to 31 August! It’s a fun nature survey where you, our visitors, become wildlife detectives. All you need is your phone and a sharp pair of eyes to help us discover the incredible variety of wild plants, insects, and animals that have made the Zoo their home. This is a project initiated by BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) in collaboration with iNaturalist, with the goal of recording any and all native and naturally occurring species of plants and animals throughout Zoos and Wildlife Parks.

Why Your Photos Matter

Every photo you snap of a wildflower or a creepy-crawly helps us build a map of Dublin Zoo’s wild residents. This map shows us the secret spots where nature is thriving and helps us make Dublin Zoo an even better home for local wildlife. You don’t need to be an expert – the app does the clever work for you!

It’s Easy to Get Started!

1. Download the App: Get the free iNaturalist app on your smartphone here.
2. Find Our Project: In the app, search for and join the ‘Dublin Zoo’ project.
3. Start Snapping! See something wild? Take a picture and upload it. The app will even help you guess what it is!

You’ll Be in Great Company!

Since we started this project in Autumn 2024, our amazing visitors  have already recorded over 1,400 observations and identified more than 380 unique species right here on site!

Ready to become a wildlife detective? See how our team is doing against other zoos and wildlife parks on the official BIAZA leaderboard! BIAZA Spotted on Site · iNaturalist