How can I prevent wild animal collisions?

Wildlife animals are very active in spring, summer and autumn, but especially in summer. Parent Robins and Blue Jays are very busy finding food to feed their hungry babies; White-tailed Deer does drive their yearlings away to give birth to new fawns while gaggles of young Canada geese are following their parents on overland jaunts. The result is that wild animals are extremely vulnerable to human-made dangers in their environment, especially motor vehicles.

The Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital sees everything from baby gulls to Snapping Turtles and Gray Squirrels to Cottontails that are injured by vehicles. Please watch for wildlife as you drive and “expect the unexpected.” These tips will help keep wildlife, you and your passengers safe:

• Heed animal-crossing signs and slow down in these areas.
• Slow down at night. This way, you will be able to spot wild animals in the roadway ahead and stop in time.
• Slow down when you see wildlife near the roadway. They may react unpredictably and bolt out onto the road.
• Leave enough room between you and the vehicle ahead of you. If the driver brakes or stops for wildlife, you can avoid an accident.
• Stay alert to the presence of wildlife. Scan the roadsides ahead of you to watch for animals.
• Alert other motorist of animals in or near the road by turning on your hazard lights as you pass the animal.