Hobart’s Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary have put the call out this Animal Road Accident Awareness Day to encourage Tasmanian drivers to slow down from dusk to dawn.
Teaming up with the RACT, Bonorong’s dedicated wildlife rescuers say the roadkill crisis plaguing Tasmania is ‘alarming’.
A month-long campaign has been launched, aimed at encouraging drivers to exercise caution and slow down during the crucial dusk to dawn hours.
“Tasmania is grappling with a severe roadkill crisis, which poses a dual threat to both our native wildlife and the safety of drivers,” said RACT Chief Advocacy Officer Garry Bailey.
“Over 500,000 animals are tragically killed on Tasmanian roads each year, and many are native species unique to our state”.
He says they estimate that in 2023, there will be 3,200 wildlife-related vehicle insurance claims across the state.
“We hope together we can raise awareness about roadkill, convey crucial safety messages to the public, and foster positive changes in driver behaviour”.
Approximately 32 animals die from car injuries each hour in Tasmania, a statistic Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary say is shocking.
People on Tasmanian roads are urged to scan road edges for wildlife and exercise caution between dusk and dawn.
Bonorong operate Tasmania’s largest 24-hour wildlife rescue service, operating on the devotion of time by hundreds of wildlife carers.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE:
- KEEP THE ANIMAL WARM
- KEEP THE ANIMAL DARK
- KEEP THE ANIMAL QUIET
- KEEP HANDLING TO A MINIMUM
- DO NOT PROVIDE FOOD OR DRINK
- CALL BONORONG STRAIGHT AWAY FOR ADVICE
0447 264 625 (0447 ANIMAL)
