Snapshot Europe

In 2021, a new project called “Snapshot Europe” was initiated and led by the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behaviour, Germany. The goal was to collect systematic wildlife camera trap data on mammals across as many study sites in Europe as possible during September and October.

To ensure Ireland was represented in a small way in the project, camera traps were deployed as a joint initiative of University College Dublin and the University of Freiburg, Germany. 10 camera traps were deployed at 20 sites around central county Wicklow following the Snapshot Europe protocols. Over 10,000 photographs were captured with 6 wild mammal species identified.

In 2022 ReWild Wicklow partnered with UCD Wildlife Department to expand Snapshot Europe in Wicklow. We raised funds to purchase an additional 20 camera traps and our volunteers deployed and monitored them.

The full report is now published and available for download below, along with all of the best images we captured. Our cameras successfully monitored 37 sites, collected 93,670 photographs and captured 9 wild mammal species and a variety of birds. The report reveals just how abundant sika deer now are in Wicklow. But there is also a good news story with the continued recovery of the pine marten as it was the fourth most common wild mammal identified in our study.



We want to expand this project in 2023 and increase the project site south and east into the Vale of Clara and Devil's Glen woodlands. YOU can be a part of this and put Wicklow at the forefront of European conservation. Every mammal recorded becomes more protected. Please donate towards this project and sponsor a camera trap today.

As a special thank you, every individual or company who donates the cost of a full camera trap setup (€218) will get the opportunity to name it. Every image we share online will mention the name of the camera it was captured on. A perfect way to promote your business’s involvement in the project or honour the memory of a loved one who cared about nature.


Sponsor a camera trap here

This project was supported with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Local Authority Waters Programme.

Download the full Snapshot Europe 2023 report here

RTÉ's 'Climate Heroes' Series

We were delighted to have ReWild Wicklow and our Snapshot Europe project featured on RTÉ's 'Climate Heroes' series in September 2022. It's a great piece and we hope it inspires more people to support our project or expand it to where they live. 

Greystones Guide Interview

Paul Byrne from the Greystones Guide interviewed Danny in Mount Kennedy Woods in July 2022. Watch it to find out even more about Snapshot Europe and all things ReWild Wicklow.

This project has also been supported by the following local businesses who have each sponsored a camera trap to place in the field as part of the project:

Snapshot Europe 2022 Camera Footage

As we check our cameras across Wicklow throughout the months of September and October, we'll be sharing all the best images right here. What will we see this year? Check back regularly for updates or follow us on our social channels.