Lagos Zoo: A Local Hero in a Global Mission to Save Our Wetlands
For residents of the Algarve and visitors alike, Lagos Zoo has long been a cherished destination for a family day out. However, beyond the joy of seeing animals up close, our local zoo plays a pivotal role on the global stage of conservation. As a proud member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), Lagos Zoo is joining forces with over 400 institutions worldwide to launch an ambitious two-year campaign: Wetlands for Life (2026–2027).
This new campaign highlights the zoo’s commitment not just to animal care, but to safeguarding the future of the planet. For the next two years, the team at Lagos Zoo will focus on protecting wetlands – the world’s most threatened ecosystem.
More than just a day out
Lagos Zoo has always excelled at providing opportunities for children living in, or visiting, the Algarve to connect with wildlife and animal conservation. This campaign takes that educational mission a step further. By visiting, families are stepping into a gateway for nature conservation, where the next generation can learn that wetlands are essential for our drinking water, climate resilience and biodiversity.
A call to action: citizen science
One of the most exciting aspects of the Wetlands for Life campaign is the move to empower the public. The zoo isn’t just asking for donations; they are asking for participation. A key pillar of the campaign is monitoring biodiversity through hands-on experiences.
To facilitate this, Lagos Zoo is promoting the use of the iNaturalist app. This innovative tool transforms a smartphone into a piece of scientific equipment. Unlike a standard camera, which often requires complex steps to geotag and upload images, the iNaturalist app lets users snap a photo and upload it with precise GPS coordinates immediately.
This creates a seamless workflow for ‘citizen scientists’. Whether spotting a rare plant or a common insect, visitors can upload their findings to a global database where a community of nature enthusiasts and scientists helps to identify the species. It is a fantastic way for parents to engage their children with technology that serves the environment, turning a walk through the zoo – or a hike in the Algarve countryside – into a scientific expedition.
World Wetland Day Promotion
To kickstart this initiative, Lagos Zoo has announced a generous offer to encourage community involvement.
On 2 February, celebrated internationally as World Wetland Day to mark the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the zoo is offering a 50% discount on entry to visitors who have the iNaturalist app installed on their phones.
This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the zoo at a reduced rate while supporting a vital cause. It is a testament to the great work Lagos Zoo does: bridging the gap between local families and worldwide conservation efforts, and ensuring that our children grow up understanding the value of the natural world.
We hope to see many of our readers there, phones in hand, ready to document and protect biodiversity!
