The ecological youth association "Zeleni Centar" created the first Android mobile application about snakes in Montenegro and the Balkans called "Snakes of Montenegro", which, with the support of the Nikšić Tourist Organization, was presented to the public.
The project team responsible for creating the application consists of young researchers, programmers and designers: Vernes Zagora, Aleksandar Simović, Miloš Džiknić, Marko Banović and Tihomir Radonjić.
"In addition to contributing to the branding of the biodiversity of Montenegro, the main goal of the mobile android application is to promote science in society, to introduce the general public to the 15 species of snakes that live in the territory of Montenegro, of which only three are poisonous species (viper, šarka and šargan), and 12 species are non-poisonous. The application offers basic data and characteristics for distinguishing these species, as well as distinguishing venomous from non-venomous ones, as well as information on preventive behavior, first aid, as well as the importance and role of snakes in the food chain, medicine, pharmacy, ecosystem and for the protection of herpetological diversity in Montenegro ", Miloš Džiknić, executive director of the "Green Center", said during the presentation.
The application can be downloaded for free via the Google Play Store. According to Marko Banović, expert advisor and graphic designer, the application functions according to the principle of a digital educational manual.
"It is the first application of this type made for mobile phones in the Balkans, which, with a very clear interface, enables easy use for both young and older citizens. The application is primarily made for Android mobile phones, and in the next phase an update for the IOS operating mobile system of the company Apple is also planned," explained Banović.
Herpetologist and author of the text Vernes Zagora explained that the printed publication, as well as the android application, is a product of their love for field biology and snakes.
"They are very neglected and unfairly characterized as something in which we can see everything negative. The truth is completely different from that, but in order to come to that realization, we must first get to know snakes in the right way, and this application is just one important step in that direction," said Zagora.
According to him, Montenegro has several species of snakes on the list of protected species, and the CITES list of endangered species that are smuggled and illegally sold on the market in/outside Montenegro is also important.
"It is completely unclear to me that our public does not think about what if a hundred people a year come to Montenegro and look for animals, especially snakes, which they catch illegally and later sell in various markets of the European Union or outside it, but believe me that it really happens. Surely, in order to prevent this, we must have concrete and complete legal provisions, then the services that will implement that law," Zagora pointed out.
As he said, the citizens who have to stand in the way of this by publicly saying that it is wrong for someone to take away a part of our nature are also responsible.
"In my previous field work, I saw how the educated population appreciates our nature. In this regard, we need more familiarization of citizens with our biodiversity, and this application offers exactly that to the general public in a way that is now more accessible to many," concluded the herpetologist.
Tihomir Radonjić, a long-time breeder and researcher, also the author of photos and text in the section on curiosities, made it possible for the audience, especially the youngest ones, to get to know vipers as part of the exhibition terrarium.
"It's a wonderful feeling to witness the fact that young people are becoming more and more aware of nature conservation, including snakes themselves. I believe that this application will bring the resolution of fear to many people through getting to know and understanding how snakes share the same home with us. Great interest and curiosity speak in favor of how important and interesting this topic actually is, which gives even more importance to the application itself", said Radonjić.
Aleksandar Simović, a herpetologist and author of high-resolution photos, said that their goal was to bring science closer to the citizens of Montenegro with the publication and application.
"To understand how to behave properly when they encounter snakes in nature and how to recognize them. By creating this application, we practically enabled everyone, both in Montenegro and beyond, to get the necessary information in a fast, simple and modern way, given that most of them today have Android mobile phones and have the option of installing this application on their devices, and by regularly reading this digital manual, they will improve their ability to recognize all the species that can be found in Montenegro", said Simović.
The President of the Nikšić Municipal Assembly, Nemanja Vuković, expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to support young scientists, researchers, programmers and designers who created an Android mobile application, confident that it will be useful to all citizens, especially future researchers and professors.
"We are here to always accompany and support all our fellow citizens, especially young people, both in the field of science, as well as sports, culture and other activities. I wish you success in further research and application work, as well as the continuation of presenting the biodiversity values of both Montenegro, as well as our municipality, which is adorned with a great biological diversity of the herpetological aspect, which we all need to preserve and protect together", said Vuković.
The application "Snakes of Montenegro" was created by the Ecological Youth Association "Zeleni Centar" as part of the project "Bring Herpetology to Citizens", supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.
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