Join Great Southern BioBlitz and help map Zululand region’s biodiversity

YOU have a chance to participate in a mass effort to help document the biodiversity in our region, as the Great Southern BioBlitz (GSB) returns.

The annual event will this year see over 200 regions across the southern hemisphere join together to record and celebrate our incredible biodiversity.

ALSO READ: New uMkhanyakude mayor tackles water issues

The GSB is a global citizen-science event where communities, naturalists, and scientists work together to document as many species as possible within a four-day window – all using the power of the iNaturalist app.

As always, everyone is welcome to get involved – either literally in your own backyard, or by joining an organised group event.

For 96 hours – from Friday 24 to Monday 27 October – participants upload photographs of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms to iNaturalist, helping create a snapshot of life across our planet.

ALSO READ: Join Penguin Palooza to help save African penguin from brink of extinction

Observations made during this period can be uploaded until 10 November 2025.

No special knowledge or equipment is required, just curiosity and enthusiasm.

It’s perfect for families, schools, community groups, or individuals who enjoy exploring nature.

It’s easy to join: download the iNaturalist app (or use the website inaturalist.org), create a free account and search for your region.

During the event, photograph living things you encounter and upload your observations to iNaturalist.

Each observation automatically contributes to your local project, and to the overall global totals.

Most will use a cellphone, but you can upload photos taken with a camera to iNaturalist later, as long as they include the date and location.

Snap anything that’s alive, or shows evidence of life, such as plants, animals, fungi, fish, birds, insects, mosses, and lichens; also evidence such as feathers, tracks, shells, bones, or scats.

Check the trees and gardens in your home, or visit beaches, rock pools, estuaries, forests, reserves, and trails.

Every photo counts and will help scientists, conservationists and communities to document and understand the distribution of species across the southern hemisphere.

Visit the Great Southern BioBlitz 2025 Umbrella Project on iNaturalist for updates, global stats, participating regions and more information.

Alternatively, contact Hendrik McCarthy on 060 6431042 or email hendrik.mccarthy@gmail.com

Join a local BioBlitz group

Friday 7am
Arboretum – Blackwood Nurseries
Veldenvlei – opposite Engen garage
Saturday 8am
Mtunzini – Umlalazi Ezemvelo park entrance; Raphia palm trail; golf course hiking trail
Sunday 8am
Amangwe – meet at Kwambo off-ramp to Mapelane
Enseleni Nature Reserve
Monday 7am
Bay Hall entrance to Pelican Island

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY