People travelling on roads in the state, including in the Southern Tablelands, Southern Highlands and South Coast during the Christmas holidays, can help rescue and protect native wildlife at the touch of a button.
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Recent heavy rains, floods and storms caused by the current La Nina weather pattern continue to impact native wildlife.
During this wet weather period, animals will try to escape floodwaters and will be displaced animals in search of food and shelter.
That's why this Christmas, it's more important than ever to watch out for wildlife about.
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People can help rescue wildlife by downloading the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Wildlife Rescue App before heading out onto the roads.
This free app, which was developed in partnership with the NSW Wildlife Council, will put people directly in touch with the nearest wildlife rescue group to report an injured animal.
The user will then be guided on the best way to help support the injured animal, saving lives.
Seeing an injured animal or hitting an animal on the road can be stressful and many people don't know what to do.
Well-meaning calls are often made to the police, the fire service or the wrong organisation, wasting time and endangering lives.
IFAW animal rescue officer Nicole Rojas-Marin says the app aims to reduce stress and confusion by giving users the information they need at their fingertips.
"Our wildlife has been through a lot, from severe drought, to catastrophic bushfires and the recent floods," Ms Rojas-Marin said.
"That's why IFAW works with the community to help rescue and protect wildlife, providing the resources for them to be rehabilitated so they can be released back into the wild where they belong.
"The app empowers everyday people to be a part of the solution by helping get injured animals the immediate treatment they need for the best chances of survival.
"Millions of animals are killed or injured every year on our roads but after the devastation of the bushfires and floods, we simply can't afford for our native wildlife to be impacted any further."
The app also allows the user to report deceased animals, allowing wildlife rehabilitators to accurately monitor the cause of local deaths and identify danger zones and road-kill hotspots.
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