Critter Crossing: How to Help Animals Safely Cross the Road

With warmer temperatures, baby wildlife and animals like turtles, deer, and birds are on the move and may need a helping hand. When traveling on quiet roads, keep a lookout and follow these tips for assisting animal road crossings:

Tips for Helping Animals Cross the Road Safely:

• Be cautious when pulling over: Watch for traffic, signal properly, and pull over as far as possible. Turn on hazard lights and wear a safety vest.
• Respect the animal's direction: Guide animals towards the direction they were heading. Turtles, geese, and other critters will likely attempt to cross again if redirected.
• Handle with care: Use gloves or a car mat to move animals across the road. Never grab by the tail—this includes turtles, rabbits, and armadillos.
• Maintain a safe distance: Place animals at least 30 feet away from the roadside to prevent them from attempting to cross again.
• Avoid straddling: Try to drive around animals if you can't stop. Straddling (positioning the animal in the middle of your vehicle) can cause harm, especially to snapping turtles, who will defend themselves and risk getting caught in your car's undercarriage.

For busy highways or intersections with animal families, call the local police for traffic support. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for injured animals, and leave large mammals like fence-entangled deer to trained professionals.

More info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ