General News
20 October, 2024
Wildlife collisions on highways spark concerns
Every year, countless animals lose their lives on highways, and the impact is not only devastating for wildlife but also poses significant risks to drivers.
Every year, countless animals lose their lives on highways, and the impact is not only devastating for wildlife but also poses significant risks to drivers.
In 2024, the number of wildlife collisions on the Western, Henty and Wimmera highways, as well as the many arterial roads, has reached alarming levels.
Dozens of kangaroos, emus, wallabies, echidnas, koalas, and birds have been affected, highlighting the urgent need for action.
These collisions hit close to home, as one of our own journalists from The Mail-Times experienced a collision with a deer on the main highway.
We are thankful they were able to walk away from the crash; however, some are not as lucky.
The frequent collisions between vehicles and animals have turned highways into danger zones for both humans and the natural world, yet wildlife safety on our roads remains an under-addressed issue.
I have spoken to several crash repair shop owners who are all inundated with work.
As the warmer weather settles in for summer, native wildlife will travel further to seek fodder and water; these repairers are worried they might not get to some jobs before Easter in 2025.
Ultimately, our roads and highways shouldn't hinder wildlife survival. However, I don't have a solution.
What solutions have you come across in your travels? Your experiences and insights could be invaluable in addressing this pressing issue.
Have you become unstuck on the highway after an animal's poorly timed crossing? If so, email me at ben.fraser@mailtimes.com.au.
Protecting wildlife is not just a moral duty, but a necessity for maintaining the balance of our ecosystems.