Photo: kjunstorm
We’re always looking for ways that technology can help address the world’s problems.
WildlifeNearYou wasn’t designed to save animal species.
Instead, the purpose of this newish website is to create a dynamic, crowdsourced clearinghouse that can point animal lovers to places where they can see certain types of animals.
The developers of the website specifically state that WildlifeNearYou was “born out of a passion for zoos, nature reserves, and wonder and awe at the vast amount of amazing creatures that inhabit our beloved planet.”
To that end, they invite users of the site to upload photos of animals they’ve seen on their travels and to document where those animals were seen.
Though they specifically indicate that “We’re interested in places where wildlife can be seen reliably,” noting that “A badger spotted in your back garden or an eagle hovering over the M4 aren’t of interest because other people can’t go and see them later,” it seems to me that WildlifeNearYou has the potential to serve as a forum where animal lovers can document sightings of species that may be endangered or even thought to be extinct.
“The purpose of this newish website is to create a dynamic, crowdsourced clearinghouse that can point animal lovers to places where they can see certain types of animals.”
WildlifeNearYou also has the potential to raise awareness about animal species around the world that may be unfamiliar to people outside their local territory. Travelers, in particular, could use WildlifeNearYou to let other users of the site know about the buffy hummingbird (Leucippus fallax) in Colombia’s Tayrona National Park or the elusive (extinct?) ivory-billed woodpecker in Cuba.
Are you a birder or animal lover? What animals have you seen in your travels, and would you use a site like WildlifeNearYou to either document your trip or help you plan places to visit?
Community Connection:
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6 Comments... join the discussion!
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I think the idea has a huge potential, but I wasn’t thinking in the way the site was set up though.
The site is primarily for zoos or near zoos known as nature reserves.
I thought, and still think, a website geotaging sightings of wild animals in the ahem wild would be a usefull tool.
As the numbers of reported sightings increased patterns would emerge. Of course they’d mostly be along roads, but it would tell people where and at what time of year it’s likely they’ll see elk or eagles or whatever. Also if scientists start seeing large numbers of one species where they aren’t used to seeing them they’d know habitat had changed. The possibilities increase the more I think. Birders spotting and reporting other species.
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Somchai-
Exactly! I know that the site is set up more for zoos (bah!), but I think it could be used to log some sightings in the wild that aren’t just random beaver sightings in your own backyard, as they say.
Either that, or someone should start up a similar site with all the features you mention.
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Hi – I’m one of the developers of WildlifeNearYou. The site was originally set up with a focus on zoos, but we realise now that this was a mistake – people want to use the site to track animals they’ve seen no matter where they’ve seen them, and we’re eager to improve the site to better support that kind of activity. If you have any suggestions for things we can do to make it easier to track sightings in the wild please drop us a note using the “Feedback” link on the site. One feature we plan to add soon is the ability to note next to each sighting if the animal was seen in the wild or in captivity – that way we can show you all of the animals you’ve seen in the wild, photos taken in the wild and so forth.
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Simon- Wow, that’s great! I think your original idea was definitely wonderful and I’m thrilled to know you’re expanding it to include these other types of sightings. Please let us know when the site is revamped!
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Nice work!
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