 First of all, we highly recommend all wildlife-conscious people carry a couple of wildlife rehabilitator phone numbers in their phones at all times. That way if you’re the person on the scene of a wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC), or you’re faced with an orphaned or injured animal in someone’s backyard, you have resources at your fingertips and you know whom to call. Here’s how to find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area. How wildlife rehabilitators help injured animalsWildlife rehabilitators are specially trained, educated and licensed professionals working in partnership with a licensed veterinarian to care for sick, orphaned or injured animals and helping them return to their natural environment. Through wildlife rehabilitation, the animals receive appropriate nourishment for their species as well as medical care in an environment that meets certain standards. Depending on your area, a wildlife rehabilitator may only accept certain types of animals and may refer you to another organization for assistance with other species. But a wildlife rehabilitation center is a great place to start. Otherwise, it is often the state game commission or department of fisheries and wildlife that has oversight of animal removal and assistance on the roads. If you have trouble getting through to someone, anyone—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has a number you can call and they'll support you in finding a resource: (757) 622-PETA.  Should you stop if you hit an animal?Yes, absolutely! Some states even have laws about leaving the scene of a WVC (often referring to livestock, dogs and horses) so it's always good to pull over, and either back up your car to the scene of the accident, or get out of your car and approach when it appears safe—whether from vehicular traffic or from the animal's reaction. An animal in fear or distress, such as a deer, could kick you, and many small animals bite and scratch and carry rabies. If it is a baby animal, be extremely cautious exiting your car and approaching as its angry and protective parents are most likely near by. This is the time to call for help! If the animal is approachable and injured, it is fine to cover the animal with a blanket for comfort from cold and shock. You can also place something gently over the animal's head to help calm it as vision and sensory input will add to its fear and panic. Do NOT touch the animal with your bare hands. Find something (great idea to always carry a blanket or towel of some sort in your trunk) to cover it with and/or use the blanket to help move the animal off the roadway so it is not put in further danger of being hit. After you have gotten through to a wildlife rehabilitator or the game commission for your state and region, they'll advise you further on what to do. If possible, remain with the animal, which will likely be in pain and terrified. Staying with the animal can help prevent further road traffic from hitting it and can also keep predators away.  Michelle Buntin [Public domain] What if I hit and killed a small animal on the road? |
 HEY! Have you stopped by The Wildlife Corridor Store yet? Get your End Roadkill T-shirt and other cool duds and such, or stop by Wildlife Corridor Store Unlimited for car magnets galore and more. Partial proceeds of all sales go to wildlife rescue and rehab. |  |
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People are often baffled by deer behavior on the roads, sharing stories of deer not only darting out into the road but jumping right into the side of the car or stopped in the middle of the road, "caught in the headlights."
This video (thanks to National Forests) does a great job of helping us understand deer behavior and promotes greater awareness of how motorists can anticipate deer activity. Below are a few tips from the video for how to avoid hitting a deer while driving:
This video (thanks to National Forests) does a great job of helping us understand deer behavior and promotes greater awareness of how motorists can anticipate deer activity. Below are a few tips from the video for how to avoid hitting a deer while driving:
- Waterways are natural passages for wildlife. Keep an eye out for deer on sides of bridges.
- Ask passengers to help you keep an eye out for deer. Agree on quick way to communicate, such as "Deer, right!"
- Deer-vehicle collisions happen more often on two-lane highways where the speed limit is 55 mph.
- Don't honk your horn. It could spook the animal and make it dart in the wrong direction. Just slow down and give it time to move.
- Animal crossings can reduce risk of animal-vehicle collisions by 80%!
Have any other guidance on how to avoid hitting a deer while driving? Feel free to submit your comments below! And be sure to see what other resources National Forests has put out there. The It's All Yours campaign about appreciation of our national forests and grasslands is truly inspiring.
Support the bipartisan Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act 2019
This proposal is for a massive conservation effort to preserve and restore native species that are diminishing due to loss of habitat. It's super easy to show your support thanks to Wildlands Network via this quick contact form to your local representatives.
This proposal is for a massive conservation effort to preserve and restore native species that are diminishing due to loss of habitat. It's super easy to show your support thanks to Wildlands Network via this quick contact form to your local representatives.
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