On a late August Saturday night, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team finished an exhibition game against the Miramichi Timberwolves and boarded their bus back to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled a moment when the driver suddenly gasped just minutes into the journey. A collision with a moose on the highway left the team and coaches unharmed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches.
The encounter left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, similar to many others in New Brunswick who have experienced close calls with wildlife. The incident coincided with the province’s announcement of adding two new wildlife crossings along the same highway stretch.
New Brunswick utilizes various methods to deter moose from straying onto roads, such as wildlife fencing and tunnels. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that these measures are strategically placed based on collision data analysis to address high-risk areas. While extensive wildlife fencing lines 331 kilometers of highways, the province has also constructed 82 wildlife crossings, including two recent tunnels on Route 8.
These tunnels, over four meters tall and wide, are designed to accommodate various wildlife species safely. Notably, wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes observed that animals quickly adapt to using these tunnels once they discover them, ensuring their effectiveness.
Forbes noted that wildlife tunnels cater to a diverse range of animals beyond moose, including beavers, ducks, bats, skunks, and raccoons. Despite not seeing a significant decline in collision rates, the Department of Transportation aims to enhance road safety through mitigation measures like wildlife crossings.
Ouellet expressed optimism for additional fencing in the area but acknowledged the challenges of fully preventing wildlife collisions. He emphasized the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate risks on highways frequented by both players and wildlife.