With financial support from SGI and the Ministry of Environment, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) has launched the second half of its 17th annual public safety campaign targeting vehicular collisions with wildlife, primarily moose and deer.
Titled: “Moose on the Loose”, the campaign consists of various mass media reminders to motorists to be more alert while driving on Saskatchewan roadways/ Bright yellow highway billboards, posters in various government offices, information packed restaurant placemats (used at SWF charitable fundraising events province-wide), multi-station TV and radio PSAs will make up the bulk of the campaign.
In 2012, vehicular collisions with wildlife caused he deaths of four people and injured 285 others. SGI spent over 51 million dollars in wildlife claims last year alone. September through November are the months when the vast majority of vehicle/wildlife collisions take place. This is because of the rut, or breeding season, takes place for moose in mid to late September and for deer in mid to late November. During the rut, both sexes of both species are much more mobile, especially the males who are actively seeking out females in new territories.
Wildlife has no understanding of the dangers of crossing the highway so only drivers can prevent a collision with a large moose or deer. Constant vigilance and reducing vehicle speeds at night can significantly help to avoid a collision. The SWF website contains information on how to avoid a collision with wild animals.
This annual campaign has been in existence for 17 years with different messages relating to collision avoidance. Some of the previous slogans include: “Slow Down and Save a Buck” and “Go Slow and Save a Little Doe“.
“public feedback from the campaign has been very positive,” says Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director for the SWF. “We get encouraging comments from people all over the province. In fact, we’ve even had agencies from other jurisdictions contact us for information on how we put our campaign together.”
For more information on “Moose on the Loose” contact:
At SWF – Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director – (306) 692-8812 or cell (306) 630-8780
At SGI – Kelley Brinkworth, MGR of Media rRelations – (306) 751 – 1837
At Environment – Michele McEachern – (306- 787-0412