Tassie roadkill policies to stay

NO new roadkill prevention measures are needed on Tasmanian highways, the state government says.

It comes as a cluster of dead Tasmanian devils was found on the Southern Outlet last week, prompting calls for a night-time speed reduction in that area.

The bodies were discovered by Hobart woman Rebekah Debrey who said wildlife warning road signs weren’t doing enough to prevent animal deaths.

Tasmanian wildlife scientist and roadkill expert Bruce Englefield said road signs and virtual fence technology weren’t changing behaviours of speeding motorists.

It’s estimated 500,000 animals are killed on Tasmanian roads each year.

The state government said roadkill data was “actively” being assessed but no further preventive measures were being considered.

“While it was sad to hear three Tasmanian devils were killed on our roads over the weekend, our advice is that the current roadkill mitigation measures in place are appropriate,” a spokeswoman said. “Mitigation measures, such as signs alerting drivers to wildlife, are implemented on a case-by-case basis where a species-specific issue has been identified.

“The government encouraged Tasmanian motorists to ‘do their part’ in protecting wildlife by reducing their speed and driving to the conditions,” the spokeswoman said.

Recent government roadkill mitigation measures include:

GREEN and gold frog culverts are required for all road projects that are situated within green and gold frog core habitat or where they have been recorded nearby.

PENGUIN culverts on Bruny Island.

FENCING on the Sorell Causeway to protect seagulls.

WILDLIFE warning signs in high-density roadkill areas.

LIGHTER coloured road seal in some areas to improve the visibility of wildlife to drivers at night as well as static and electronic signs.

WILDLIFE deterrent technology, such as on-road rumble strips, has been installed in other locations.