N.L. woman has hit 3 moose since May
CBC News
Posted: Mar 17, 2011 1:48 PM NT
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2011 1:48 PM NT
A moose runs in front of a car as it crosses the road in Gros Morne National Park, western Newfoundland. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
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An eastern Newfoundland woman, who has collided with three moose since May 2010, is calling on the provincial government to do more to keep the large animals off the province's highways.
"The numbers are increasing obviously. I see them quite often coming and going from work," said Patricia Regular of Harbour Grace.
"The sides of the roads should be cleared so we can see them coming and there should be more moose hunting licences issued to reduce [moose] numbers on the highways."
Regular has written off two cars, but luckily she hasn't been seriously injured.
Regular, who has suffered a stiff neck and "a few raw nerves," said all three accidents happened on her way to and from her job in Clarke's Beach.
Her latest mishap was at night on the Conception Bay South highway.
"I turned for a second and turned back and bang!" said Regular. "There he was right into the car. That one — the windshield came out of the car and all — that was quite scary," she said.
'Something has to be done and we can't wait'— Eugene Nippard
Regular is not the only person calling on the province to reduce the province's moose population.
A group called the Save Our People Action Committee also wants moose numbers reduced.
Last month, an access to information request for numbers from the RCMP found there were 741 moose-vehicle collisions in the province in 2010 — twice the number that was reported a decade ago.
"The numbers being doubled like we're seeing. Something has to be done, and we can't wait," said Eugene Nippard who is with committee.
The committee also supports a proposed class-action lawsuit to hold the provincial government responsible for injuries due to moose collisions.
Lawyer Ches Crosbie has filed an application to have the lawsuit certified in St. John's.
"Wildlife practices of the defendant have allowed the moose population on the Island to reach numbers in the range of 120,000 to 200,000 … multiplying the danger of moose collisions for users of the highways," says a statement of claim filed Jan. 10.
Nippard said a map of the province that will show where most moose accidents occur is also being created.
Earlier this year, provincial officials said about 700 moose-vehicle accidents are reported annually across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Moose aren't native to the island of Newfoundland. Wildlife officials estimate that since they were introduced to the province more than a century ago their population has grown to about 120,000 animals.
Last fall, more than 20,000 people signed the action committee's petition calling on the provincial government to do more to control moose.
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