Watch Out for Wildlife

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"Watch Out for Wildlife

Panther Crossing Road--Photo:Robert Repenning/Transwild Alliance Fall can be a dangerous time to be on the roads. As daylight grows shorter, drivers need to be extra cautious -- not only for little ghouls and goblins on Halloween, but for deer, raccoons and other wildlife as well. Experts estimate that up to 1.5 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur in the United States every year -- and October and November are top months for these types of accidents. Over 300 people are killed and 29,000 are injured in wildlife-vehicle collisions every year in the U.S., and 85% of deer-motorcycle collisions result in a human fatality.

Roads are also a leading cause of decline for some species. In fact, 50 percent of all endangered Florida panther deaths are from vehicle collisions.

This fall, Watch Out for Wildlife by pledging to...

* Drive with caution in wildlife areas and tell your friends
and family to do the same.
* Report wildlife vehicle collisions to wildlife
and transportation agencies.
* Participate in state and local planning and voice your
concern about the negative impacts of roads on wildlife."

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