The chance of a wildlife collision is higher than usual at this time of year. Due to a shortage of food, wild animals move around more and cross roads more often.
Motorized traffic has to watch out at dusk and dark for red deer, roe deer and wild boars suddenly crossing the road. Because there are very few acorns and beechnuts this autumn, the game crosses the road more often in search of food. The animals also walk more often on roadsides to eat grass, warns the province of Gelderland, where most of the forests in the Netherlands can be found. A collision with game is not harmless and usually causes a lot of damage. The Dutch Association of Insurers has seen an increase in the number of collisions and the damage caused in recent years. Last year the average claim after a wildlife collision was €1,921.
According to the Stichting Wildaanrijdingen Nederland, there have been a remarkable number of accidents last month. There have been many clashes with wild boars in particular. This is because the boars received an exceptionally large number of piglets in the spring, all of which were in good condition. Now there are very many swine and far too little food.
The Royal Dutch Hunters Association launched a campaign this month to warn motorists of wildlife collisions. It is mandatory to call the police after a collision with a deer, roe deer or boar. He warns a hunter to look for the hit animal and to put it out of his misery if necessary.
Growing problem
As mentioned, the number of wildlife collisions has been increasing for years. In 2020, no fewer than 8,603 reports were received according to the Dutch Association of Insurers. In 2014, there were still 5,750 reports. The chance of a collision with an animal is by far the highest in Gelderland. No fewer than 1,300 collisions took place in that province last year.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl