Australian wildlife received a brief respite during the pandemic with less traffic on the roads, but that is all about to change.
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Wildlife organisations across the country recorded fewer injuries and wildlife deaths during lock-down but are already noticing an increase as restrictions ease.
In Tasmania, a state known for the wildlife carnage on its roads, Tasmanian Wildlife Rehabilitation Council president and wildlife carer Oma Rodger confirmed there had been a significant decrease in animals injured or killed statewide.
"During COVID-19 it has virtually dropped down to nil roadkill," Ms Rodger said.
Ms Rodger attributed this largely to the fact that people were not travelling to and from work late at night or early in the morning.
"Every carer ... was saying the same thing all around the state - there was a huge drop, around 80 to 90 per cent I would imagine," Ms Rodger said.
"But since we are loosening up on the regulations of lock-down we are now getting more and more roadkill.
"Pretty much from the day people could leave their houses and go to school or work or whatever it started to increase.
"It's really carelessness I think on the part of the members of the public on the whole. People just don't slow down."
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Ms Rodger urges people to take care.
"Slow down dawn to dusk, move animals off the road to avoid secondary roadkill, be aware when you're driving through bush areas that are known to have animals - that's where you slow down."
A spokesperson for Queensland RSPCA also reported a decrease in jobs relating to vehicles during April.
"However, this month we have jumped way back up there," the spokesperson said. "So one could stipulate that the decrease is possibly because there were less vehicles on the road."
State-wide lock-down restrictions in Victoria has led to Wildlife Victoria recording a 40 per cent decline in reports for wildlife affected by road trauma, compared to the same time last year.
In March and April 2020, Wildlife Victoria received 714 reports of animals hit by vehicles. This is substantially fewer than the near-1200 reports received for the same period in 2019.
As restrictions slowly start to ease and more people return to the roads, Wildlife Victoria CEO, Dr Megan Davidson urges Victorian motorists to be wildlife alert and reduce their speed.
"Reducing speed reduces the risk of all types of collisions, including hitting animals on the road.
"Please slow down in areas where wildlife is active, such as on country roads and in the outer, newer suburbs of cities and towns, especially between dusk and dawn when wildlife is on the move.
"Hitting a kangaroo or wombat can be very traumatic as the animal may be horribly injured. With some animals being quite large, the collision can cause damage to the vehicle, and injury to the driver and passengers is very likely."
While in many cases an accidental collision may be unavoidable, there are many things drivers can do to keep themselves and our native wildlife safe and reduce the risk of collision:
- Reduce your speed at dusk and dawn.
- Be alert while driving. If you know you are in an area where there is wildlife, stay focused on the road. Be aware that wildlife may be grazing on the roadside.
- If you see an animal near the road, slow down, and prepare to brake if needed.
- If you are driving at night in rural areas, use your high beam headlights for better sight, and watch for reflecting eyes.
- Pay attention to yellow road signs that indicate wildlife in the area.
- Be aware of smaller animals such as birds, echidnas, possums and reptiles.
If you do accidentally hit an animal while driving, or encounter wildlife that is injured or deceased, pull over if it is safe to do so.
If you are able, gently remove the animal from the road without risking your own safety. If the animal is alive, contact your nearest wildlife rescue organisation.
Even if the animal is deceased, it may have a joey in its pouch that has survived the impact, which is why a life-saving pouch check is so important.