Time for Nature

Drivers for Wildlife

September 6, 2004

Jasper National Park of Canada

"Drivers for Wildlife" sign to flag sheep crossing area.
© Parks Canada

One of the most significant threats to wildlife may be sitting in your driveway. Each year in Jasper National Park of Canada alone, as many as 150 animals are found dead on the road, killed by cars and trucks travelling the park's highways. To reduce wildlife deaths caused by vehicles, the park has extended slow-speed zones, taken a new approach to highway signs and appealed to motorists to "drive for wildlife."

The unseen casualties

In the last 25 years, drivers in Jasper have killed 13 caribou (a species at risk ), 19 goats, 30 wolves, 93 bears, 178 moose, 399 sheep, 782 elk and 795 deer. The actual death toll is probably higher because many injured animals crawl away from the road and die undetected. Countless other smaller mammals, birds, amphibians and insects also die on the road each year.

Young wolves killed along
Highway 16
© Parks Canada

Animal-vehicle collisions can seriously affect wildlife populations, either through the sheer number of animals killed or the deaths of important animals. For example, the death of a pregnant female wolf or wolf pups (whose curiosity makes them especially vulnerable to being killed along the highways) can seriously compromise the future of a small wolf pack.

"Drive as if their lives depend on it"

New "Drivers for Wildlife" sign to flag caribou crossing area.
© Parks Canada

The good news is that these deaths can be prevented, and Jasper's Drivers for Wildlife program is designed to do just that. Under the program, a slow-speed zone has been extended. New highway speed signs feature larger-than-life photographic decals of the wildlife species that use the area. New bumper stickers remind drivers that animals are nearby and to "drive as if their lives depend on it." A fact sheet informs drivers that they'll save only 2 minutes by speeding through the park's slow-speed zones, while risking a $150 ticket.

Drivers for Wildlife is also operating in the other mountain national parks of Canada - Banff , Kootenay and Yoho .

How to drive for wildlife

You can prevent collisions with wildlife in Canada's national parks - and on any other country road - by taking just a few precautions:

• scan the highway ahead from side to side;
• look for animal movement or shining eyes at night;
• when you see one animal, watch for others;
• stay very alert;
• obey posted speed limits;
• pay special attention during dawn and dusk.

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