Sydney road kill on the rise
Media release: 17 July 2008
Increased numbers of native animals have been killed on our roads over the past two weeks, and the head of the Dept of Environment and Climate Change has warned Sydney motorists to watch out for wildlife, especially at night.
Acting Director-General, Sally Barnes, said this is the time of year that young animals like wallabies and possums leave their mother's territory and strike out on their own.
"They don't have the best traffic sense in the world and we are asking that people keep a special lookout for them at night on bushy roads around Sydney."
"The problem is concentrated mostly around our green corridors, which really come alive in the evenings and early mornings as animals emerge to forage. The hotspots include:
- The Northern Road in Sydney’s west
- Heathcote Road,
- Henry Lawson Drive
- Comenarra Parkway
- Mona Valle Rd
"Between 6pm and 6am is when most accidents occur and it's at these times we are asking drivers to take particular care."
"At slower speeds you can often safely avoid a collision, which is a better outcome for everyone," she said.
Ms Barnes said that while Sydney is known world-wide for having a wonderful array of animals and birds living in and around the city it was not something we could take for granted.
"Sydney-siders have worked very hard to protect wildlife and their habitats."
"In some areas we have seen the gradual reappearance of animals such as swamp wallabies, echidnas, lyrebirds and bandicoots, which is truly incredible for a major city."
"It is absolutely devastating to see vulnerable native animals dead on the side of the road when we work so hard to protect them from other threats."
"While NPWS, RTA and councils have worked hard to provide fencing and safe crossing areas for wildlife, they can still wander onto roads and become an accident hazard."
"Winter brings with it longer evenings and darkness during peak hour, so it is a timely reminder to slow down, not only protecting our wildlife but the whole community as well," she said.
Injured wildlife should be reported to WIRES on 13000 WIRES or 1300 094 737.
Contact: Public Affairs