Mitigating Wildlife-related vehicular collisions
Dr. Roy Rae has spent half of his life in northern California and the other half in northern British Columbia.
Roy received his M.Sc in Biology at UNBC and his PhD in Ecology at Norwegian University of Life Science in Norway.
Dr. Rae has spoken to the Nechako Rotary Club on a previous occasion a few years ago regarding wildlife related vehicle collisions. He also assisted the Nechako Club with one of the earlier Group Study Exchange programs during their stay in Prince George, with a tour of UNBC and focus on his Science Lab at the University.
Dr. Rae has special interest in: 1) Plant - animal interactions; 2) Field based Education; 3) Considerations for special landscape features, including such things as mineral licks, bear dens, wildlife trees in forest planning and management; and 4) Determining strategies for mitigating wildlife-related vehicular collisions.
Dr. Rae explained that the number of wildlife related vehicular collisions is down significantly from when he last spoke on the subject with Rotary, but the reason is mostly due to reduced numbers of wildlife in the area, than any scientific or management strategies.
Dr. Rae also indicated that the number of events is likely considerably higher than those actually reported, due to other circumstances including such things as moose collisions with railroad trains and events where a vehicle was not seriously damaged.
Dr. Rae also continues to advise that the use of animal whistles doesn't reduce the frequency of animal collisions as most people hoped.
Dr. Rae also indicated most of the wildlife collisions occur during night driving as the animals are harder to see, and this is also the time of the day when the animals often frequent the highway corridors seeking minerals along the roads, as well as reprieve from deep snow and possible predation. Also, some of the more desirable feed sources such as younger willow and alder may be found along the roads.
Dr Rae was thanked for his presentation and responsiveness to numerous questions, by Rotarian Harold Spensley and President Leona Wilkinson, with another donation to our Rotary Polio Plus Program.