Watch For Wildlife Crossing Roads

By Kelly Wallace

Think Turtle Conservation Initiative is appealing to all motorists. Please commit to responsible driving practices to help prevent wildlife road mortality. Avoiding speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive and impaired driving has the potential to reduce the chances of wildlife collisions. While vehicle strikes involving large wildlife such as deer, moose, and elk garner more attention because of the damage this can cause a vehicle, even small wildlife on the road can be a potential hazard to motorists based on a driver’s response. It is not wildlife’s fault that they cross roads. They have no choice but to use roads as corridors that connect the land and waterways they need to meet their vital needs.

Much of Ontario’s terrestrial landscape has been altered to accommodate our need to travel short and long distances throughout the province. While roads are designed to improve our connectivity for work, education, transporting goods, emergencies, and leisure, it is easy to lose sight of the habitat fragmentation this has caused and its impact on wildlife. This type of environmental change refers to dividing a piece of contiguous habitat into smaller, isolated parts. Case in point, while improving our ability to travel across the land, we have made it more difficult for wildlife.

We routinely see the effects of this each year, with turtles and other wildlife crossing roads to go about their routine seasonal activities, e.g., reproduction, feeding, and finding shelter. According to the OPP, around 14,000 wildlife collisions are reported annually in Ontario. Approximately 80% of these collisions involve deer, with moose, elk, bears, coyotes, and other wildlife making up the remaining 20%. In addition to this, there is a high number of unreported collisions involving smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. A number that attests to this is the “1,719” injured turtles have been admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), home to Ontario’s turtle hospital, as of Sunday, October 15, 2023. 90% of these admissions resulted from being struck by a motor vehicle. Last year, there were “1,885” injured turtle admissions.

How To Help

So many wildlife high-risk road mortality hot spots across Ontario would benefit significantly from installing wildlife fencing or other mitigation techniques. However, someone has to foot the bill for that. Funny enough, some people complain about the province not installing widespread mitigation measures to enable wildlife to travel under or over the road instead of on it, and some people complain about wildlife fencing installed by the Ministry of Transportation over the years diverting taxpayer’s resources from other public services. While both points of view support valid concerns, there is the ongoing matter of wildlife being vulnerable to vehicle strikes primarily to do with how we choose to drive.

As much as we desperately want to see wildlife road mortality hot spots addressed by the province, it will take time and large amounts of money. Efforts to reduce the price tag for mitigation measures using effective methods are ongoing and being explored by Eco-Kare International, The Land Between, Ontario Road Ecology Group, and other conservation organizations.

Considering that it is within every motorist’s ability to help prevent wildlife mortality simply by being the best possible driver we can be, this is a grassroots effort that needs to take hold. It reflects our commitment to caring for the natural world and its inhabitants. If every motorist in Ontario would genuinely adopt conscientious driving practices, this would reduce injuries to wildlife and road mortality dramatically.

No one likes to have driving flaws pointed out, but being perfectly honest, all of us, even the most experienced drivers, over time, can get complacent and so comfortable driving that without realizing it, the speedometer is sitting well over the speed limit. Following that is the belief that we can multitask effectively without compromising safety. Whether it’s your phone, dog, or eating breakfast in the car, a distracted driver cannot effectively scan the road and shoulders as well as a non-distracted driver. It is not ethical that an animal should lose its life because a driver was sending a text while driving. No matter what season it is, it’s an excellent time to brush up on some safety tips and precautions on the road for our own safety, passengers, other motorists on the road, and wildlife.

With the turtles soon being off the roads until April, be aware of increased wildlife road crossings in the autumn and early winter because it is mating season for deer and moose. Remember to drive cautiously and be attentive to your surroundings to reduce the risk of hitting animals in the first place. This includes driving at appropriate speeds, particularly in wooded areas where wildlife is known to be present, and being extra vigilant during dawn and dusk when many animals are active. Look for warning signs posted near the road identifying areas that are prone to wildlife activity.

Accidentally Hit A Larger Animal

We hope you never have a wildlife collision. Still, if you accidentally hit a larger animal, such as a deer or moose, while driving in Ontario, you must report the accident to the local Police or the MNRF in your district. It is vital to report wildlife strikes so highway custodians can identify areas where wildlife collisions are frequent and take steps to reduce their risks.

Wildlife In Distress

Should you encounter wildlife other than turtles in distress, please consult the ‘Ontario Wildlife Rescue” website for a Wildlife Rehabilitator or Wildlife Rescue Centre in your area that has been authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). http://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca

Injured Turtles

If you find an injured turtle, call the OTCC at 705-741-5000. They are located in Peterborough and admit turtles from anywhere in Ontario. The OTTC will provide medical care at “no” charge and have volunteers to assist with transportation if you cannot drive the turtle to the OTCC or the nearest first responder.

Please remind all drivers in your household and visitors to be mindful of the wildlife we share the roads with. Wildlife are our partners in protecting the health of the ecosystems we depend on for services and goods that are essential for human well-being and sustainability.

To contact the author, e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or visit the Think Turtle Conservation Initiative website at http://www.thinkturtle.ca

Photo: Gannett Illustration
Facebook Post: #1105