Flinders University student’s animal trading card game ANiMOZ taking votes on new characters
Conservation organisations are getting behind a Flinders University student’s plan to save endangered animals using his new trading card game. Vote for your favourite addition during August.
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Revealing the superpowers of Australian animals in a fun trading card game is part of one SA student’s plan to raise the next generation of caring leaders.
Joel Howland, 31, of Woodville, took time out of his Flinders University science (animal behaviour) degree to create ANiMOZ – Fight for Survival.
“If our future leaders can engage with these species and fall in love with the animals that they then discover are endangered or at risk from human activities, then we’re far more likely to have a generation that cares,” Mr Howland said. “The only way we’ll fix what’s happening is if people think the environment, and the animals that rely on it, are worth saving.”
The starter pack released in December will be expanded with a series of booster packs.
During August, Mr Howland is inviting everyone to vote for their favourite animal to be included.
“The aim of the vote is to raise the profile of lesser-known animals that are just as in need of help as their more well-known counterparts, as well as to direct attention to the organisations working to save them,” Mr Howland said.
“The three species with the most votes will feature on their own card in the next release of ANiMOZ packs.”
More than two dozen charities have nominated animals and made their pitch online.
Zoos SA has nominated the Mallee Emu-wren and the Pygmy Blue-tongue Lizard, conservation manager Dr Liberty Olds said.
“As a conservation charity we are helping both species but it is a battle against time,” she said.
“As their populations in the wild are so fragile, we desperately need to raise awareness about these two rare, native species – that’s where ANiMOz comes into play.”
Finley, 11 of Kilkenny has played the game “many times” and says his favourite cards are RiNU the eastern quoll with the power of Nightsight, and GANTEUS the perentie with its Venom superpower.
“I don’t know a single kid who doesn’t like superheroes,” he said.
“The animals’ powers make them seem really cool, which they are, but their powers are not as noticeable, so pointing them out and showing them in a card game can be really fun, to play and experience.”
The Year 6 Kilkenny Primary School student says playing the game has changed his mind about Australian animals, which he used to find boring, and also helped in his school work.
Have your say at animoz.world/vote