The body of a black-tailed deer killed by traffic lies on the side of the Sea to Sky Highway. Lack of wildlife overpasses on upgraded highway raises concerns about roadkill of large mammals and safety to public.
Photo/John Buchanan
By Larry Pynn
Motorists killed more than 5,500 wild animals on provincial highways last year, the B.C. transportation ministry reports.
Highways maintenance contractors across the province had the thankless job of removing 5,663 carcasses, including 4,454 deer — almost 80 per cent of the total — 350 moose, 223 elk, 157 bears, 126 coyotes, and a variety of smaller animals.
The annual roadkill deer carnage compares with about 30,000 deer legally hunted in B.C.
Angela Buckingham, chief environmental officer for the transportation ministry, said in an interview from Victoria that dawn and dusk are risky times for collisions due to increased movements of animals.
Spring and fall are also peak periods due to wildlife migrations. Young animals are present in spring, too, and can be especially vulnerable. In winter, animals are attracted to salted roads.
The ministry puts up wildlife signs to warn motorists along key stretches of highway, cuts back vegetation to improve visibility, and sometimes installs wildlife fencing and culverts.
Buckingham said it is also important for motorists to exercise greater caution.
“The key thing is not to speed,” she said. “And be aware. Watch both sides of the road when travelling, not just the paved surface, but be aware of what’s going on adjacent to the paved surface.”
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