Robert Belley believes that a few metal bars on his truck were crucial in saving his life.
“I could tell we had struck something … I saw the moose trying to cross the highway. It was still alive, and then the pain hit me like a wave,” Belley reflects.
In the fall of 2024, he and his wife collided with a moose near Lanigan.
Two years later, he struggles with limited use of his left hand, which has hindered his ability to work in construction and he has faced challenges in obtaining sufficient compensation to cover his lost earnings.
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is alerting the public about the increased risk of wildlife collisions during this season, as more moose and deer are on the move across roadways.
Robert Belley states that a moose would have gone through his vehicle if not for the bars he had fitted on the front. (Chanss Lagaden/CBC)
According to the Crown insurance agency, approximately 8,800 wildlife-related accidents are reported in the province each year, resulting in an average of 400 injuries and two fatalities over the past five years.
Belley expressed his desire for individuals to take these hazards more seriously.
“This isn’t a joke. It can inflict serious, lasting injuries. It can even be fatal. People really need to reduce their speed on these highways,” he emphasized.
Belley reports suffering from dizziness, nerve damage, mobility issues, and psychological stress. (Submitted by Robert Belley)
Troy Corbett, who oversees traffic safety community outreach at SGI, noted that fall is typically a peak period for wildlife accidents, particularly involving deer.
“This is a time of year when they tend to be more active and may travel unfamiliar routes,” Corbett explained.
Motorists can reduce the likelihood of accidents by exercising caution when wildlife activity is heightened, slowing down, keeping an eye out for animal crossing signs, and utilizing high beams when suitable.
“If you find yourself in a situation where a collision seems unavoidable, we advise staying calm, reducing speed, and steering away from the animal,” Corbett advised.
SGI indicates that while it is impossible to completely avoid wildlife collisions, drivers should take preventive measures. (Saskatchewan Government Insurance)
SGI also suggests directing your vehicle toward the direction from which the animal came rather than where it is heading, and exercising increased caution during dawn and dusk when visibility can be compromised by glare.
Deer and coyotes frequently involved in accidents, rescuer reports
Bonnie Dell, the executive director of the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan, witnesses the consequences of wildlife accidents firsthand.
A few years back, she managed the rescue of a coyote struck by a vehicle near Regina during the night.
Dell encourages drivers to contact her organization if they wish to assist wildlife. (Maeve Ellis/CBC)
“The driver knew she had hit something but didn’t realize it was still lodged in her car’s grille when she arrived home. She just looked back and saw four legs sticking out,” Dell recounted.
A volunteer helped transport it for rehabilitation, and the coyote was released six weeks later, fully healed.
Her organization receives calls about wildlife collisions at least every other day, primarily concerning deer and coyotes, she noted.
“Every single animal is important, and it’s a heartbreaking reality that affects those involved in the accidents. We often receive calls from distraught individuals unsure of what to do next,” she added.
She advises people to reach out to the organization if they are uncertain about their next steps.
This coyote was trapped in a car before the driver became aware of it. (Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan)
‘Like colliding with a wall’
Bernie Borgmann, owner of Hooker’s Towing and Recovery, has been in the towing business for four decades. He mentions that 10 to 20 percent of the cases he handles involve wildlife.
“It feels like hitting a wall, right? They do move and can bounce off your vehicle quite a bit,” he explained.
In his storage area, he currently has a vehicle that struck a moose and two that collided with deer, all within the last month.
<p"This year hasn't been particularly bad yet, but we're just at the beginning of the season," he noted.
His experiences with wildlife collisions range from animals crashing through windshields to hitting multiple creatures, he shared.
“It’s traumatizing … Some individuals do have empathy because it’s another life involved, really … It makes them realize how hazardous the roads can be.”