Wildlife survival and your safety depend on driving "Wildlife Aware".
In order to anticipate and successfully avoid wildlife hazards, drivers need knowledge about wildlife behaviour and wildlife responses to danger.
Infra red and video footage of deer crossing busy roads in Britain is supplied by Jochen Langbein of the National Deer Collisions Project. Note the number of animals present and the risky behavious.
Fight or flight
Unpredictable
The Herd Factor
Some animals travel in groups – deer and bighorn sheep especially. If one animal crosses the road, there may be others about to follow. Mother/offspring pairs are another example.
Bolting
Crossing/Recrossing
Wildlife is Actually Attracted to the Road
Most people think of the road as a dangerous place, but wildlife may actually be attracted to the road, right of way and ditch, for many reasons.
Why do Deer Swerve in Front of the Vehicle?
When species like deer are trying to avoid danger in the wild, like a predator chasing them, they run in a dodging or twisting motion, in an attempt to throw off the predator. That is why deer may make a sudden swerve right in front of a vehicle - that is how they are "programmed" to respond to a threat.
There are many factors that affect wildlife proximity to the road. Some attract animals to the road, and some repel animals away from the road.
Animal movements are affected by:
Animal Biology
Water
Food
Shelter
Activities
Travel Patterns
Click here to view and/or print an FAQ list about wildlife vehicle collision prevention [PDF - 45 kb]
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