At the National Reptile Zoo, we put conservation into action through all our day-to-day work…
Conservation
Nearly fifty percent of human populations live in cities, disconnected from nature. In this urban reality, zoos play an important role to provide exposure and education about wildlife conservation.
This sense of biophillia can be developed and shared by instilling an understanding about animals, their behaviour, habitats, environmental changes, and why they need to be conserved.
We provide the highest level of animal care, monitoring & research of associated species to ensure a responsive, personalised approach.
We believe in inspiring our visitors to discover and learn all about the natural world, varied environments and current conservation.
We partner with conservation projects worldwide and in Ireland, to help animals in their natural habitats and support research work.
What are we doing towards conservation?
EX SITU
(Animals at the zoo)
Awareness
Our ‘encounters’ that run through the day at the zoo offer visitors personalised and detailed Q&A sessions with zoo-keepers, as well as hands-on interactions with resident animals.
Science communication infographics and interactive learning installations are are key part of the zoo’s design.
Public engagement through our mobile Zoo-to-You events help generate interest and dialogue across the country.
Research
We conduct a range of ‘long-term-monitoring’ that feeds into a research database for animal care, biology and veterinary studies.
We host and support university students through dissertation and research projects.
We actively publish key findings and collaborate with other zoos.
Breeding Programs
Conservation breeding involves the captive propagation of endangered species to help maintain genetic diversity, produce viable individuals for release and ultimately mitigate species’ extinction.
IN SITU
(Animals in the wild)
Field projects
Our team is actively involved in field studies and community centered projects in 5 continents!
This involves fundraising, in-field expertise, educational materials and collaborative research.
Find out more about some of the fascinating people and organizations that we are proud to support!
Tech Support
Providing field researchers with equipment
Sharing species specific data from in-house monitoring and empirical studies
Conducting training/knowledge sharing workshops for field researchers and other zoos
Fund Raising
We run campaigns, events and field expeditions to help raise funds for field research projects supported and promoted by NRZ.
What you can do for conservation!
The Zoo Ambassador
As a zoo ambassador you will actively participate in outreach and fundraising towards our conservation work. This is a year long commitment with targets and hands-on involvement. At the end of your ambassador program, you will get to visit one of our remote field-collaboration-sites in India, South America or Africa!
Internships
Interning with us can be part of work-experience you are looking for, an independent research project, short term involvement, a school/university project, or personal interest! Fill out an internship application to let us know and we will get back to you.
Adopt an Animal
Is there a species that enthralls you or that you are concerned about? Or was there a specific animal that you got to know on your last visit? Adopting an animal helps us focus funds on species specific conservation and animal welfare. Your name and adaptation details will be displayed on our “Adoption wall” and you will receive an NRZ gift pack with an info poster about the species you have adopted.
Make a donation
We are constantly working towards bettering and expanding the three key pillars of work at NRZ. Let us know if you would like to support our education center, research projects or field exploration. Donations above 300 euros receive 1 year complimentary “NRZ Membership”.
Share your experience!
Tag us on facebook or instagram and tell us what you learned! @nationalreptilezoo.
Send us a photo essay of your experience and it could get selected as a special feature for our newsletter! education@nationalreptilezoo.ie