Viyoohan Sayooran, an eight-year-old from Markham, Ontario, has developed an innovative app called Urban Wild Watch, which aims to foster coexistence between humans and wildlife. The app, which leverages artificial intelligence, enables users to report wildlife encounters, ensuring both human safety and animal protection. This is particularly crucial as human populations expand into once-wild areas, increasing the likelihood of dangerous encounters with wild animals.
The app's launch on June 5 has already registered over 158 wildlife encounters across Canada and the United States. It provides a safe platform for reporting sightings, including injured or orphaned animals, and offers emergency contact information. However, the app does not disclose the exact location of animals to protect them, instead showing the general area and time of spotting.
Viyoohan's initiative is supported by experts like Colleen St. Clair, a professor of wildlife sciences at the University of Alberta, and Leonardo Cabrera, an ecologist at Rogue National Park in Markham. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wild animals and avoiding behaviors that might teach animals to approach humans. St. Clair advises against providing shelter, food, or resources to wild animals, as this can lead to dangerous interactions.
Cabrera highlights the need for proper reporting of animal behavior to local authorities, ensuring the safety of all residents, including humans and animals. He also recommends following the 3 Rs: respecting the environment and animals by giving space, being responsible for following rules, and reporting animal behavior to local wildlife authorities.
In conclusion, Viyoohan's app is a valuable tool for promoting coexistence with wildlife, but it must be used in conjunction with responsible behavior and reporting to ensure the safety and well-being of both humans and animals.
