GTNP Wildlife Mortality Declines

Grand Teton National Park has announced that the number of wildlife collisions with vehicles dropped by over 36% during 2011.  Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says it appears the decline has been linked to the combination of an education campaign and a night-time speed reduction. Additionally, Skaggs says park managers initiated a proactive education/prevention campaign in 2006 to reduce the growing number of collisions and associated animal mortalities. The campaign included placement of portable flashing message boards at strategic locations along Highway 26/89/191 that caution motorists to be alert for wildlife, and the placement of stationary signs at wildlife crossing hotspots. Other measures have included public service announcements broadcast on local radio stations, flyers handed out at entrance stations, and cautionary alerts placed in the park’s newspaper.  The last time so few animals have been killed on the park roads was in 2008 when 102 animals were injured or killed in collisions with vehicles.