A new augmented reality (AR) experience from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has seen a rare seabird take flight on mobile phones across the State.
Digital Program Manager at NPWS, Anthony Hutchings said the AR experience, a first from NPWS, brought the Gould’s petrel story to life.
“It’s exciting to launch our first augmented reality experience with this rare seabird’s story, set on Broughton Island, near Port Stephens in NSW,” Mr Hutchings said.
NPWS Ranger Susanne Callaghan said seeing a chick or adult petrel in the flesh was unlikely for most people as Broughton Island was only accessible by boat.
“But now everyone can learn about petrels and the NSW Government’s efforts to protect this special species through augmented reality, as part of NPWS’s Digital and Safety program,” Ms Callaghan said.
“Visitors to Tomaree Headland can walk to the summit and use the lookout’s new sign with QR code – or they can watch the AR story on the app from the comfort of home,” she said.
“The AR experience shows a 3D-rendered bird moving and flying between scenes with animations on-screen as the story unfolds with narration.”
Ms Callaghan said that since 2009 exceptional work had taken place on Broughton Island and nearby islands, including the eradication of rats, broadcasting petrel calls on a loudspeaker to attract birds and building artificial nesting boxes.
“This conservation work has been incredibly successful, with Gould’s petrels returning to breed on Broughton Island,” she said.
“In 2019 the first egg was laid, with the very first chick hatching in 2020.”
Ms Callaghan said five more chicks had hatched over two consecutive seasons since then.
The NPWS Ranger said Gould’s petrels visited far-off places in New Caledonia or New Zealand and bred on islands such as those off Port Stephens.
Further information on the AR experience can be accessed at this PS News link.
