On a dim Saturday evening in late August, the Chaleur Lightning ice hockey squad had recently finished an exhibition match against the Miramichi Timberwolves and boarded the team bus for the return trip to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled hearing the driver gasp shortly after departure. “It happened within the first five minutes of the drive,” Ouellet recounted. “I glanced up and saw a figure ahead of us, followed by a loud bang.” The team bus had collided with a moose on the highway, but fortunately, the team and coaches escaped unharmed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches.
The encounter with the large animal left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, resonating with many others in New Brunswick who have faced similar incidents. “Every time I travel those roads, especially in the evening and at night, I’ll definitely be thinking about it,” Ouellet shared. Coincidentally, the province had announced the addition of two new wildlife crossings along that particular highway stretch the same week.
The province employs various strategies to deter moose from straying onto roadways, such as wildlife fencing and crossings. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the decision on where to implement these measures is guided by collision data provided by law enforcement. While 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are currently lined with wildlife fencing on both sides, Chiasson emphasized the need for non-intrusive methods to allow wildlife to move freely.
New Brunswick boasts 82 wildlife crossings, including concrete tunnels under highways, with two newly installed tunnels on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst. These tunnels, over four meters tall and wide, are designed to accommodate large animals comfortably. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes, who led a study on the impact of wildlife tunnels over 15 years ago, highlighted the importance of making the tunnels intuitive for animals to use effectively.
Forbes noted that various wildlife, not just large mammals, utilize the tunnels. Despite the presence of wildlife crossings, the Department of Transportation has not observed a significant decrease in collisions. Chiasson emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance safety for travelers, including exploring additional mitigation methods.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for further protective measures in the area, acknowledging the challenges of preventing every collision. “You try to make the best of a tough situation and implement the most preventive measures you can,” he remarked, reflecting on the importance of continued vigilance while traveling on highways prone to wildlife encounters.
