Grey nomads and other motorists are again being urged to take extra care on the roads, with a spike in the number of crashes involving animals.
Wildlife rescue service WIRES says the danger of hitting an animal is greatest in rural and regional areas, and the end of daylight saving meant more people were on the roads at the ‘danger times’ of dawn and dusk.
Campaign manager Kristie Harris said WIRES volunteers attended to thousands of animals that had been hit by cars every year, but many couldn’t be saved.
“We are dedicated to not only rescuing and caring for the animals but also spreading awareness to the public about what to do if they find themselves in this situation,” Ms Harris said. “This time of year is the worst for animal and vehicle collisions … the amount of animals struck is tragic.”
Motorists were urged to reduce speed and exercise caution at dusk and dawn, when large animals such as kangaroos were most commonly hit. A crash even at 60 km/h could cause considerable damage to many cars.
Ms Harris said safety was the most important thing to consider when dealing with animals that had been hit.
“If the animal is an adult mammal such as a kangaroo or wombat and is still alive, keep your distance,” Ms Harris told the Northern Daily Leader newspaper. “Keep all people and pets well away as they are easily stressed and call WIRES for further instructions and advice on 1300 094 737.”
Even if an animal was killed, there was a chance they were carrying joeys that had survived.
People are also encouraged to clear animals from the road if they hit them.
“It is really important that the body is moved off the road, not only to prevent a potential accident with a car but also to protect other animals,” Ms Harris said. “Carnivorous animals will feed on the carcass so they are at risk of being hit too.”
However, she warned that large mammals can be very heavy so people should always consider their own wellbeing before trying to move dead animals.
Don`t we have dawn and dusk when day light saving is on.
What a stupid statement.
It’s not stupid , when daylight is on people start up camp earlier avoiding dusk late at night .
Being a country boy we were always in the habit of euthanizing animals struck be vehicles, either by a clean shot to the head or a humane slitting of the throat. I have come across many native animals in the remote areas of Australia, and still consider this to be the best option when an animal is critically injured and the option of a WIRES rescue is out of the question. As we are no longer permitted to carry firearms it is now a mute point. We must now try to make the animal as comfortable as possible, attempt to give water and let them slide into a painful death.
If it were my animal or pet that was critically injured I know what my choice would be.