The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) has a new app that they hope will help solve wildlife crimes at a faster rate. The app, which is called UTDWR, is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded here for iPhones and here for Android users. It is an easy way for people to report wildlife crimes and, when necessary, include videos and other images, too.

And, according to UDWR, the new app is already working well.

“Two buck deer were poached recently in Millard County,” said Captain Wyatt Bubak. “We got word out through our social media channels and a news release. It didn’t take long before two solid tips came in via the new app. Those tips have been very helpful in moving the case forward.”

The new app was created through Citizen Observer and incorporates technology that “will scrub your message of all identifying information, including your IP address” so that any tips reported through the app are completely anonymous.

“It isn’t required, but we do encourage people to share their name and a way to contact them,” said Bubak. “Many of our cases take weeks, months or even years to investigate. By providing some contact information, we’re able to follow up with you in case we need more information.”

Those who do share contact information should know that it remains confidential. And, while the app works well, Bubak says that UDWR’s tip hotline is still the fastest way to report a crime, especially if it’s currently in progress.

“The new app is also a great way to let us know about a wildlife crime,” said Bubak. “It’s another tool in our toolbox. We hope its ease of use will allow more of the public to join us in the fight against poaching here in Utah.”