PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As wildlife move around their habitat for food, shelter and to find mates, the roads and highways that crisscross our state make that a dangerous and sometimes fatal journey.
According to Oregon Department of Transportation’s carcass collection records, each year in Oregon, approximately 5,000 large-bodied animals are killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions. The actual number of wildlife lost to collisions with vehicles is likely much higher as some die outside the highway right-of-way and aren’t included in ODOT’s carcass count.
Wildlife-vehicle collisions are dangerous for people, too. On average, one to two motorists will lose their lives to collisions or near misses with wildlife each year in Oregon. Finally, damage to private and public property as a result of wildlife-vehicle collisions and accident avoidance numbers in the tens of millions of dollars annually.
Coalitions have sprung up around Oregon to address wildlife-vehicle collisions. A press conference was held online Wednesday to discuss three specific projects and give the public a closer look at the developmental stages of wildlife passage projects.