For a Snowy Mountains Wildlife (LAOKO) rescuer, finding an injured or distressed native animal, in the night-time particularly, can be very difficult if clear and precise directions are not provided.

Last year LAOKO handled about 1800 calls, most about injured or orphaned animals that members of the public found.

Following a call for assistance LAOKO tries to send a volunteer out to assess, rescue or euthanise the animal.

Volunteers sometimes travel huge distances, on unfamiliar roads, in all weather. Their efforts are wasted if location information is incorrect or vague.

‘Halfway between Buckenderra and the Four Mile, on the left near a big tree…’ is not much help, a LAOKO spokesperson said.

If a call is made to LAOKO on 02 6456 1313, try and provide the following information.

In town: Street name and number is required. If it’s a public place, e.g. a park, details of where in that place.

On private properties, farms, businesses: Members cannot enter a property without the owner’s permission.

You must confirm that permission, or alternatively give LAOKO contact details of the property owner.

Out of town: On a road or in the bush, the best information is a Google map pin drop - you can learn how to do this with your mobile phone or on a PC (Google ‘Google map pin drop’ for instructions and YouTube demos).

This gives LAOKO a very precise location, down to a few metres, which is often necessary if a person is trying to find animals in roadside vegetation.

“It’s handy to know how to do it, you can use it for other social, camping, bushwalking and fishing activities,” the spokesperson said.

“It’s a fun thing to practise with your kids.

“If you can’t give us a map pin drop, a GPS smart watch that gives location coordinates is just as valuable.

“Also, if you can’t give a map location, give us distance to the next intersection, e.g, Snowy Mountains Highway, 2.7 km from the Tollbar Road turnoff, on the left heading towards Nimmitabel.”

A noticeable landmark is always helpful.

If you have a shopping bag or something, you can tie that to a fence.

LAOKO advises if a motorist does stop for an injured animal, to park well off the road and turn on hazard lights.

“Never put yourself at risk. Be very careful if you try to move an animal as an injured animal can be very dangerous,” the spokesperson said.

“Never transport an animal that cannot be safely contained.”

If you come across an injured or orphaned animal, call LAOKO, and use these tips so members receiving calls can help figure out the exact location and advise or assist.

To find out more about LAOKO, or to make a donation, visit laokosmwr.org