Every spring and fall in Ontario, something heartbreaking happens in silence. Wildlife — turtles, foxes, deer, raccoons, bears — try to cross our roads and highways. Many never make it to the other side.
While most of us have swerved to avoid an animal or slowed down for a crossing deer, we don’t often think about what’s driving these creatures to risk it all — or what those moments mean for entire species and for our own safety on the road.
At Wild for Rehab, we believe that protecting wildlife isn’t just about compassion — it’s about conservation and public safety. Here’s why.
Why Wildlife Cross the Road
Animals aren’t trying to inconvenience us — they’re just trying to survive. Roads cut through their habitats, separating food sources, mating grounds, nesting areas, and seasonal migration routes.
- Turtles cross roads to find nesting sites, often laying eggs in the gravel shoulders.
- Deer and moose migrate seasonally in search of food or mates.
- Bears, foxes, and raccoons follow scent trails, riverbanks, or natural paths — now interrupted by pavement.
In their world, the road doesn’t mean danger. It just means something to cross.
Impact on Wildlife Populations
Vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of death for many species in Ontario.
- Up to 70% of Ontario turtle deaths are caused by vehicles. Given their slow speed and low reproductive rates, every adult lost is a major blow to the population.
- Amphibians and reptiles are especially vulnerable — most are too small for drivers to notice in time.
- Larger mammals like deer or moose often die after being struck, and their carcasses may attract scavengers who then become victims too.
The ripple effect is real. These aren’t just individual deaths — they can tip the balance for endangered populations, especially when deaths are concentrated along busy routes.
Impact on People
Hitting an animal isn’t just traumatic — it can be deadly.
- Collisions with large animals like deer or moose often cause severe damage to vehicles and serious injury to passengers.
- In Ontario alone, there are over 12,000 reported wildlife-vehicle collisions every year, and likely thousands more unreported.
- These crashes can result in fractures, brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, and in tragic cases, fatalities.
Rehabilitation clinics see the human cost of these collisions daily. It’s one of the reasons we started Wild for Rehab — because helping people recover from injury should go hand-in-hand with preventing the injuries in the first place.
The Solution: Wildlife Crossings
One of the most effective tools we have is the wildlife crossing — structures like wildlife culverts (tunnels under roads) and ecopassages that allow animals to safely move between habitats.
These crossings have been proven to:
- Reduce wildlife collisions by up to 90% when paired with fencing
- Protect at-risk species
- Keep drivers and passengers safer
And yet, many hotspots across Ontario remain unfunded, unmarked, or overlooked.
What We’re Doing
At Wild for Rehab, we’re working to identify high-risk collision zones where wildlife crossings can make a difference. Our mission is to:
- Raise awareness
- Fundraise for real infrastructure like culverts and ecopassages
- Partner with local environmental groups, municipalities, and land trusts
- Make roads safer for both wildlife and people
We believe injury prevention can — and should — extend beyond the clinic.
How You Can Help
- Drive slower in known wildlife zones, especially at dawn and dusk
- Report sightings of animal crossings or collisions to local authorities
- Support our work by donating, sharing, or joining our upcoming campaigns
- Learn more about the hotspots near you
Together, we can help more animals get to the other side — and help more people avoid the trauma of a collision they never saw coming.
