The Wildlife Factor

Wildlife Behaviour

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.

• Red Deer
• Fallow Deer
• The Deer Go Marching One By One

Fight or flight

• Animal  behaviour is related to the "fight-or-flight response". There is a certain amount of space in which an animal feels safe; but once that boundary is violated, the animal's reaction is unpredictable. Its response will depend on a number of factors, including age, sex, type of enemy, and surroundings. 

Unpredictable

• Even if an animal sees you, it may still jump in front of your vehicle, or it may not even recognize the vehicle as a danger.

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

• Be careful while approaching animals standing at the side of the road. The animal you see standing calmly at the edge of the road could bolt in front of your vehicle at the last moment.

Crossing/Recrossing

• Even if an animals has crossed the road, it may turn and cross again.

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.

• The timing and amount of mowing and brushing of the ditch and right of way can increase forage palatability.
• Removal of snow in the winter can provide for ease of movement.
• More wind on the road and right of way provides relief from biting insects.
• Product spillage (such as grain) from accidents can create temporary food sources.
• Proximity to agricultural crops such as alfalfa increases the amount of wildlife in the area.
• Application of salt and other deicing materials to the road is a major attractant for wildlife.

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.

Wildlife Ecology

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
• Species, population density and cycles, age, gender, stage of reproduction, and nutritional needs of the animal

Water

• Availability and proximity to natural sources of water - streams, lakes, rivers, and swamps
• Availability to man-made sources of water – settling ponds, surface drainage, irrigation systems, wells, and dugouts

Food

• Natural food sources - vegetation, salt licks, prey, and fish bearing water
• Man-made food sources - rchards, gardens, fields, pets, livestock, and garbage

Shelter

• Caves, cliffs, forests, culverts, and bridges

Activities 

• Feeding, breeding, sleeping, migrating, chasing prey, and evading predators

Travel Patterns

• Habitat availability, seasonal vegetation changes, snow depth, drought, flooding, fire, and overgrazing
• The geography of BC means that the transportation corridors are located in valley bottoms which can be preferred habitat for wildlife, either seasonally or exclusively  

Back to top