The Invasive Animals CRC (IA CRC) are once again searching for your photographs of pest or ‘feral’ animals. They are looking for photos showing pest animals living in the wild, the damage caused by pest animals, and also photos that demonstrate the various methods that are available for pest monitoring and humane control. 

Vertebrate pest animals occur in all parts of Australia, causing major damage to crops and agriculture, native wildlife, bushland, rivers and waterways, and even sporting fields and beaches. There are increasing reports of pest problems in urban zones especially due to foxes, rabbits and feral cats. This is the third year that Feral Photos has run, in an effort to raise community awareness about pest animals. Images from past competitions have been highly sought after for major publications and promotional material, as they help illustrate the damage pest animals cause across the country.

National NRM Facilitator for the IA CRC, Jessica Marsh, hopes the photo competition will remind landholders, environmental staff, volunteers and members of the public about the widespread presence of pests and the importance of keeping a record of pest animal sightings and damage. “I hope the competition encourages people to get out there and see what is happening in their environment and to get creative about how they can capture photographic evidence of pest animals in their area”.

Entries into this year’s competition can be submitted online via the Invasive Animals CRC website. There is a limit of five (5) photo entries per person and a range of great prizes will be on offer. Visit the website for more information: www.invasiveanimals.com/feral-photos. The competition closes on 30 September 2013.