New study sheds light on animal deaths on roads near Gatineau Park
Majority of deaths occur near ecological corridors
More than 100 large animals die every year in collisions on the main roads bordering Gatineau Park, with most deaths occurring near ecological corridors essential to wildlife, according to a new study.
The forthcoming report, a copy of which was obtained by Radio-Canada, was produced by the Conseil régional de l'environnement et du développement durable de l'Outaouais (CREDDO) for the National Capital Commission (NCC).
Between 2015 and 2022, there were 938 recorded animal mortalities on routes 148, 105, 366 and Highway 5 — an average of slightly more than 117 dead animals per year.
The figure is based on data from the Outaouais SPCA, which recovers carcasses in the region.
Restoring, preserving ecological corridors
Animals move along ecological corridors to get from one habitat to another for breeding, feeding or resting, said Stéphane Wojciechowski, the NCC's senior manager for natural resources and land management.
Major roads break this ecological connectivity, leaving animals no choice but to cross them.
According to the report, most fatal accidents occur close to an ecological corridor.
Of the 13 identified around Gatineau Park, only one corridor, the Wakefield corridor, is protected, said CREDDO scientist Cénédra Poulin.
Some of the other 13 corridors are in Aylmer, Luskville and Pontiac.
No passageway just for wildlife
In the Outaouais region, there are a number of structures designed to allow traffic to pass over or under roads, but none of them is specifically dedicated to the passage of large wildlife, despite the high number of collisions and complaints reported to Quebec's transport ministry, according to the study.
The report recommends these structures adapt to wildlife, which would, for example, include removing rock to make it more pleasant for deer. Other forms of adaptation are vegetating the floor of culverts and removing obstacles so animals aren't afraid and can move around and see their surroundings, Poulin said.
"Ideally, we'd have great connections with no human disturbance," said Wojciechowski.
"Even the noise of cars can disturb certain species, so even being next to a road, without even crossing it, can in itself cause problems."
With files from Radio-Canada