Recording Accurate Location Data

15 January 2026

Why Accurate Rescue Location Data Matters

As wildlife rehabilitators, each of us plays a vital role not only in caring for the animals that come into our care, but also in contributing to the bigger picture of wildlife protection.

One of the most important parts of this work is the data we record and submit. Every rescue location, fate, and detail you log is added to a central database called BioNet. BioNet is the NSW Government’s central biodiversity database, which stores and manages wildlife records submitted by licensed groups and individuals. It brings together data from across the state to inform conservation planning, research, and policy decisions — including identifying wildlife vehicle collision hot spots.

Why is precision so important?

When rescue records only include the suburb, the data is too broad to make a measurable difference. For example, a report of rescue from “Newcastle” is not specific enough to justify conservation, road signage or mitigation strategies. When location data is reviewed from BioNet, it will place all rescues from Newcastle right in the centre of the Newcastle map.

On the other hand, when exact rescue locations are provided, that data has the power to:

  • Identify precise collision hot spots
  • Support applications for wildlife road signage and mitigation (e.g., fencing, over/under passes)
  • Strengthen the case for government investment in wildlife safety technologies
  • Help reduce future vehicle strikes and save more lives

At a recent meeting with a NSW Government representative, we learned rescue data with only suburb locations could not be used to support applications for road signage and mitigation measures. This is because funding for these initiatives relies heavily on the accuracy of the data provided. The more accurate the data, the more impact and influence our group can have.

How to find GPS Coordinates

Option 1 – On Your Computer
  1. Go to Google Maps.
  2. Type the address or location in the search bar.
  3. Zoom in and right-click on the exact spot (intersection, roadside, house).
  4. Click “What’s here?”
  5. A small box will appear at the bottom with the latitude and longitude (e.g. -32.97343, 151.56149).
Option 2 – On Your Phone
  1. Open the Google Maps app.
  2. Enter address in the search bar.
  3. Press and hold your finger on the exact location on the map.
  4. A red pin will drop — the coordinates will show in the search bar or pop-up at the top.

Note: If the coordinates don’t show in the search bar or pop-up at the top, you can also click the share icon the coordinates will show at the top of the screen. The share icon is the square with the up-arrow.

Option 3 – At the Site
  1. Stand where the animal was found.
  2. Open your Maps app and press and hold on your current location (blue dot).
  3. The coordinates will appear.

Resources you should know about

To understand how your records make a difference, here are some key resources on current efforts in NSW to address wildlife–vehicle collisions:

What you can do

  • Whenever the exact rescue location in known, include this in your data records
  • GPS coordinates can also be included – for guidance on how to determine GPS coordinates, please see here

By working together and ensuring accuracy in our data, we can directly contribute to reducing the number of animals injured or killed on our roads. Your efforts not only make a difference for the animals you care for, but also for the wider wildlife population across NSW and beyond.