Pest animals app updated

AN updated version of a popular free smartphone app to help people identify Australias worst pest animals is now available from the Invasive Animals CRC.

Andreas Glanznig, CEO of the Invasive Animals CRC, said that the innovative and popular Field Guide to Pest Animals app, initially released in mid-2013, now provides iOS mobile device users with information about 53 of Australias worst pest animals, the damage they cause, how to identify them in the field, and what control techniques are available.

The Invasive Animals CRC is looking at developing an Android version in the near future.

Australia has more than 80 vertebrate pest species, the main culprits costing at least $1 billion annually in economic, environmental and social impacts, Mr Glanznig said.

This app contains species descriptions, photos, maps, control techniques and useful links for 53 pest species in Australia, he said.

Some of the many resources accessible through the app include species factsheets, case studies, web-mapping services, and standard operating procedures for pest control.

Peter West, Project Manager with the Invasive Animals CRC and NSW Department of Primary Industries said version 1 of the app had received overwhelming interest with more than 7,000 downloads across Australia by farmers, catchment officers, school students, educators, landcare groups, local government authorities and the general public. He said version 2 is expected to be equally popular.

People can use the app to learn about wild rabbits, wild dogs, foxes, European carp, mice, feral pigs, cane toads, myna birds, feral camels, feral pigeons and many more species.

The app also contains information about what to do if you find a new pest animal, as well as sounds of animal calls and images of footprints, tracks and droppings, which make it easier for users to quickly identify pest animals in the wild.

After the app has been downloaded onto a smartphone, people can access all the species profile information whether they are within mobile phone reception or not, making it a usable tool for rural and remote areas.

See more here:
Pest animals app updated