Image: Frank Harms / Dreamstime / An undated photo of a young deer walking across a highway. DriveBC urged caution after reporting on Nov. 9, 2024 six incidents in which deer were hit on B.C. roadways on the weekend.

By Don Mitchell

wildlife on highways

Province urges drivers to be vigilant following a rash of deer collisions in six-hour period

Nov 10, 2024 | 4:25 PM

VICTORIA – BC’s Ministry of Transportation is urging drivers to stick to posted speed limits after six deer were hit by vehicles in separate incidents on Saturday.

In a social media post just after 8 p.m. on Nov. 9, DriveBC reported that the incidents occurred over a six-hour period in six different locations across the province.

“The best defense against striking wildlife is to travel at the posted road speed,” the post on X said.

Be👁️watchful👁️for #BCWildlife.

6+🦌 struck over the last 6 hours, in 6 different locations.

When you see a one [1] deer 🦌 there are often multiple [x] 🦌deer nearby doing what 🦌🦌do.
🦌.

The best defence against striking #BritishColumbia wildlife is to travel at the posted… pic.twitter.com/ZEOYxihLqG

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 10, 2024

B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk

4h ago

Damage to downtown public restroom

Public restroom in downtown Chilliwack repeatedly damaged, 'abused': Mayor Popove

8h ago

Voice of Hope for Kenya

Voice of Hope for Kenya to hold Christmas craft sale this weekend in Chilliwack

8h ago

The province estimates there are 5,700 vehicle collisions with wild animals on provincial highways each year.

Based on statistics released in 2022, about 75 percent of collisions involved deer, while 15 percent involved either bears, elk, or moose.

Since 2020, the province has strengthened wildlife collision prevention measures in partnership with stakeholders like fish and game associations, First Nations, and non-governmental organizations.

More than 500 kilometers of wildlife exclusion fencing, four animal overpasses, 29 underpasses, and 1,200 species-specific wildlife warning signs on rural highways are part of the Ministry’s Wildlife Program.

DriveBC advises that those on the province’s busy roadways can avoid encounters with wildlife by staying vigilant, especially when driving in the mornings and evenings.

“Some animals, especially deer, may panic when they see your headlights and may freeze in the road,” the agency suggests. “If you see an animal, slow down until you are well past them.”

Anyone involved in a crash with an animal or who encounters a dead animal on the road can contact the RCMP, local police, or highway maintenance contractors in the area.