The **Government of San Juan**, through the **Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development**, launched a renewed phase of the initiative **“Bajá un Cambio”** aimed at **preventing wildlife roadkills** on [provincial and national roads](https://noticiasambientales.com/compromiso-ambiental/se-judicializo-el-reclamo-para-instalar-pasafaunas-en-la-ruta-que-cruza-los-humedales-del-rio-parana/).
The most significant innovation is the incorporation of the **Epicollect5 app**, which will allow, for the first time in the province, to **collect and systematize data on these events**.
This free-to-use tool was developed by the **CGPS Team of the Big Data Institute at the [University of Oxford](https://www.ox.ac.uk/)**. It enables the creation of customized forms for collecting information **with or without an internet connection**.
Currently, it is used in different regions of the country by the **Argentine Network for Monitoring Roadkill Wildlife**. Now it will be available in San Juan for anyone who witnesses or is involved in an incident to **report it from their cell phone**.
The **Conservation Director**, Ezequiel Salomón, highlighted that “the use of this technology will facilitate the construction of an updated and reliable database. It will enable the promotion of actions to **minimize species mortality on roads** through signage, distribution of explanatory material, and **environmental education activities**”.
## Wildlife Protection and Education for Responsible Tourism
According to the monitoring carried out by the Secretariat, the **South American gray fox (Lycalopex griseus)** is the **most affected species by vehicular traffic**. Especially on **National Route No. 40, National Route No. 20, and Provincial Route No. 510**, areas close to natural environments where the nocturnal behavior of fauna and traffic speed worsen the problem.
The campaign **“Bajá un Cambio”** originated from the event **Safari Tras las Sierras in Valle Fértil**. It continues during long weekends and holidays, mainly in tourist spots such as **Zonda, Ullum, Pedernal, El Encón, and Sarmiento**.
The actions include **installation of road signs, distribution of informative brochures, and ecological awareness talks** for residents and visitors.
In addition to educating on **responsible driving in natural areas**, the campaign provides guidelines on how to act in the presence of **run over animals**. In the event of finding injured or deceased animals, it is recommended **not to touch or intervene**. This could pose risks for both people and the animals themselves.
In these cases, one should **immediately contact the Environmental Secretariat (4305057) or the Ecological Police (911)** and, if feasible, document the event to contribute to official records.
This new stage was developed with the contribution of **Biology Licentiate Luis Ignacio Aguado**, a researcher at **CONICET** and member of the **Institute of Andean Ecoregions (INECOA – CONICET/UNJu)**, in addition to collaborating with the **Center for Environmental and Social Territorial Studies (CETAS)** and the **National University of Jujuy**.
A recent experience confirms the effectiveness of these actions. The **recovery and successful release of a South American gray fox specimen** was achieved, reaffirming the **positive potential of these types of initiatives in biodiversity conservation**.
The **systematized data collection** will allow the Secretariat to establish an **informative baseline**. It will also **strengthen interinstitutional cooperation** with other entities to develop **common strategies to reduce wildlife roadkills in San Juan**.
