Those planning on hitting the roads this festive season have been urged to keep an eye out for wandering wildlife.
Better still, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) wants all motorists to download its Wildlife Rescue App before heading out.
Recent heavy rains, floods and storms caused by the La Nina weather pattern continues to impact native wildlife.
During the wet weather periods, animals will try to escape floodwaters and may become displaced as they search for food and shelter.
The free Wildlife Rescue App, which was developed in partnership with the NSW Wildlife Council, puts users in direct contact with the nearest wildlife rescue group, should they need to report an injured animal.
The user will then be guided on the best way to help support the injured animal.
Seeing and injured animal on the road can be extremely stressful. 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 precious time and endangering lives.
The app aims to reduce the stress and confusion by giving users the information they need at the touch of a button.
"Our wildlife has been through a lot - from severe drought, to catastrophic bushfires and the recent floods," said IFAW animal rescue officer Nicole Rojas-Marin. "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 IFAW 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 can be downloaded on ios and android devices. Visit ifaw.org/au/resources/wildlife-rescue-app
