News and Issues
News
17/12/2009Roadkill in TasmaniaThe RACT is serious about doing more to reduce the significant loss of life on our roads - amongst our wildlife. The toll is too high, and the RACT believes more needs to be done by government and the community to address this.
Research by Tasmanian scientists puts the estimated roadkill toll at 293,000 animals per year. Visitors to our State often report their distress at the high number of road-killed animals they see. Wildlife often cross Tasmania's country roads at dawn or dusk. Being aware of this could save an animal's life and avoid damage to your car. More than 3000 Tasmanian Devils are thought to be killed on the roads every year (up to 5.7% of their population). Animals like the devil are often hard to see as their colouring melds in with the black bitumen of the road. Litter from vehicles, too, can increase risk to animals - so don't throw apple cores or other fruit and vegetable scraps from your car. This attracts wildlife to feed on the sides of roads, thereby increasing the risk of roadkill.
The RACT has developed a working group Roadkill Forum with a number of other stakeholders across Tasmania. The RACT Roadkill Forum meets regularly to discuss ways to influence policies and decisionmakers and to progress an Action Plan to address roadkill issues in Tasmania.
For more information about the issues involved, go to these links below:
Find out more about roadkill in Tasmania and make your next road trip wildlife friendly
Watch a 15 min documentary film about Tasmanian wildlife on the road
www.imaginocean.com.au/roadkill
Caring for Wildlife (Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania)
www.parks.tas.gov.au
Read about Save the Tasmanian Devil Program's Roadkill Project and learn how you can help
www.tassiedevil.com.au
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Do you support a blanket speed limit reduction on the Midland or Bass Highways from 110km/h to 100km/h?
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