APP TO AID WILDLIFE RESCUES
VICTORIANS will able to help injured, sick or orphaned native animals with a smartphone app that can locate and identify wildlife needing emergency care.
From today, Wildlife Victoria will turn to technology to help the rising numbers of hurt or sick animals often found on the roadside across the state.
A report sent via the Snap Send Solve app will contain images and precise location data.
The information will then be relayed to the nearest wildlife rescue volunteers who can respond to the animal in need.
Last year, Wildlife Victoria received a request for help every six minutes, its chief executive Megan Davidson said.
“This app reporting method has real value because we see a photo of the animal and get the exact location,” Dr Davidson said. “Sometimes people can misidentify animals but this app will help reduce that.’’
Reports of injured animals have doubled in the past five years as urban sprawl has encroached on the habitats of native animals. “Kangaroos especially are being displaced by housing developments so we are seeing more of them getting hurt,’’ Dr Davidson said.
Wildlife rescue volunteer Julie Malherbe said a rapid response was vital for injured or sick animals such as kangaroos, possums, flying foxes and wombats.
Snap Send Solve chief executive Danny Gorog said the app meant people could help Australian animals in need.
“We are extremely proud to be taking an active part in assisting Wildlife Victoria to help our native animals,” he said.
About half a million people use the app nationwide to report a range of public problems such as dumped rubbish, abandoned shopping trolleys, burst water pipes and illegal parking.