The State of California’s fight against poachers and polluters is diving into the 21st century.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now asking for text messages that could help catch criminals harming wildlife and polluting in Malibu and across the state.
The CDFW this month launched a pilot program for anonymous tipsters to text information, including photographs, to the Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters (CalTIP) program, by sending a text to “tip411” (847411). Texts must begin with the word “Caltip.”
According to a statement released by the CDFW, texted information will open up an anonymous line of conversation between the tipster and wildlife officers.
The CDFW has also unveiled a smart phone application with the same goal of stopping polluters and poachers in their tracks. The CalTIP App, available for free in the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store, lets members of the public anonymously share text and photographs of lawmakers as they see crimes committed.