Wildlife in Muskoka

Slow down, it may save your life. In fact once an accident occurs you can face a two-hour road closure anyway, so it pays to be cautious. From the OPP Crime Alerts webpage.

DRIVER SWERVES TO AVIOD AMIMAL RESULTING IN SINGLE VEHICLE COLLISION

(BRACEBRIDGE, ON) – On 10^th of July 2009 at approximately 5:34 PM Bracebridge OPP along with Muskoka Ambulance and Muskoka Lakes Fire Department were called to a personal injury single motor vehicle collision located on Muskoka Rd. 118 at Brandy Crescent in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Investigation revealed that a Silver 2007 Mazda was travelling eastbound on 118 in the area of Brandy Crescent when the lone driver observed an animal on the roadway. The driver of the Mazda took action to avoid the animal and lost control of the vehicle which left the roadway, striking a rock cut and rolling over.

This is a problem across Canada, and, I am sure, the USA! From the Canada Safety Council:

Ontario
One out of every 18 motor vehicle collisions involves a wild animal. Ninety percent occur on two-lane roads outside of urban areas. In 2003, wild animals were involved in four fatal collisions, 510 injury collisions, and 13,321 property damage collisions.

The Season to be Wary / Avoid Ambush /Engineering Solutions / Statistics

• Road collisions are under-reported.
  
• Deer and other big-game populations are on the rise.
• Collisions start to peak in the summer and fall.
  
• The majority of these crashes occur between dusk and dawn, when visibility is low.
• Ungulates (hoofed mammals) that stand high on their legs, such as moose and deer, pose the most danger to vehicle occupants.
  
• Defensive drivers adapt their speed to conditions and keep alert for wildlife.
• Ask passengers to help by scanning both sides of the roadway.
• Should you spot an animal beside the road, slow down until you have safely passed it. Expect more animals to follow. Put on your flashers to warn other drivers.

From the III

• Deer aren't found just on rural roads near wooded areas; many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities.
• Deer are unpredictable, especially when faced with glaring headlights, blowing horns, and fast-moving vehicles. They often dart into traffic.
• Deer often move in groups. If you see one, there are likely more in the vicinity.
• Always wear your seat belt and stay awake, alert, and sober.
• Brake firmly but stay in your lane. Don't swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle.

Then there are the BEARS!!!
The animals are still on the move.
It is worth it to repost this. We know there is a garbage strike in Toronto, but this box, dumped 4 times by the bear, has been dumped again.

You must take your garbage home, or to the dump.
Removing the bears only leaves a gap for a bear to fill in the habitat territory.

This is the 5th time it has happened and unless we remove the food source (the garbage) it will keep coming back. Your neighbours will thank you! They smell the food in the bins, unless they are strong, and we prevent them from puting your property on their regular route.

They have learned a lot about the bears this season, what with the berries being late they are foraging as they never have before.

If they trap the bear and take it, say 100 km away, it can come back, or another bear will just move into the territory. So we really have to remove the food source. We get up early on garbage day and truck it up there, to remove the food source. It is a pain, but part of the price we pay for living here.

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Bear cub continues to visit (BR Examiner article)

July 8, 2009 - by Karen Longwell

A bear peering into windows and helping itself to bird feeders in a Bracebridge residential area could be related to the bear shot on June 22.

CTV Winnipeg- Paramedic killed in deer-related crash - CTV News ...19 Sep 2008 ... Police say their investigation has led them to believe a deer crossed the highway, and the teen crossed into the other lane to avoid hitting ...