Dublin Zoo invites visitors to become wildlife detectives

Dublin Zoo is inviting visitors to take part in a new nature survey called Spotted on Site from 25 to 31 August. The project aims to record wild Irish species living within the zoo grounds, including plants, insects and other native animals.

The initiative, led by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) in collaboration with the iNaturalist app, allows participants to use their smartphones to photograph and document any naturally occurring wildlife at the zoo. Observations uploaded through the app contribute to a growing map of Dublin Zoo’s wild residents and help improve conditions for local species.

Visitors do not need expert knowledge. The iNaturalist app assists in identifying species, making the project accessible to all ages and levels of experience. Since its launch in autumn 2024, more than 1,400 observations have been recorded at the zoo, representing over 380 unique species.

Participants can also see how their contributions compare with other zoos and wildlife parks via the official BIAZA leaderboard.

The zoo said the project offers a hands-on way for the public to engage with nature while helping to understand and protect wildlife thriving within Dublin Zoo.

For more information, see the Spotted on Site project on the iNaturalist app.