With fall’s arrival comes darker commutes for drivers – and more danger for nocturnal wildlife.
Owls, which prefer to hunt in low light, are especially vulnerable at this time of year, often crossing paths with vehicles during evening and early morning traffic.
“As the days get shorter and people commute to and from work in the dark, nocturnal animals like owls are also active at these times, hunting near roadsides for small rodents like mice and shrews,” said Dr. Andrea Wallace, BC SPCA manager, wild animal welfare, in a news release.
“As a result, they are at higher risk from vehicle collisions during this time of year, and we encourage those on the road to exercise extra caution when driving.”
BC SPCA’s Vancouver Island-based animal rehab centre Wild ARC, typically sees a spike in owl admissions in the fall. Last year, 18 owls of four different species, and three red-tailed hawks were admitted to Wild ARC after being hit by a car, likely while foraging for food.
Injuries ranged from fractures, broken wings and head trauma.
To help reduce the risk of collisions, the BC SPCA urges drivers to:
- Pay attention to wildlife warning signs, as these do indicate wildlife collision hot spots;
- Stay within the recommended speed limit. Reduce your speed, especially in areas of limited visibility and at dawn and dusk when there is reduced light and animals are more active;
- Keep an eye out for shining eyes on the side of the road, highlighted by your headlights;
- Be vigilant and scan the road shoulders for animals, particularly at dawn and dusk;
- Watch for flashing brake lights on the car ahead, possibly indicating wildlife on the road;
- Do not honk or flash your lights at wildlife – rather than warning them away, this will only startle them or potentially cause them to panic and bolt into further danger.
Litter can also contribute to the risk of collisions.
Food scraps discarded along roadsides can attract rodents, which in turn draw owls and other predators towards highways.
Properly disposing of garbage, recycling and compost helps prevent this risk and keeps both wildlife and drivers safer, says the organization.
Anyone who encounters an animal they believe is in distress can call the BC SPCA’s animal helpline at 1-855-622-7722 for advice.
