TICINO (Switzerland): Deer and roe deer en masse towards the plain
Armando Besomi of animal protection: “Winter came earlier. Motorists, be careful ”. Fabio Croci of the Hunting and Fishing Office: “Over 20 animals hit in a few days”. The story of who hit a deer.
BELLINZONA - "Be careful, because in recent weeks we are 'invaded' by deer and roe deer on the roads". This is the appeal of Armando Besomi, of the Animal Protection of Bellinzona, to Ticino motorists. Winter and snow arrived earlier than usual. And wild animals, in order to survive, are forced to descend to low altitudes well in advance of usual. “The fact is - explains Fabio Croci of the Hunting and Fishing Office - that the snow fell to low altitudes a little prematurely. And so the beasts descended en masse. Over 20 animals have already been hit in a few days ”.
The army of animals - They are hungry and cold. Roe deer, deer, badgers, wild boars, foxes… An army of animals descends on the plains and keeps the competent authorities apprehensive. “More than anything else, we are worried about the attitude of motorists - resumes Croci -. Many don't even slow down as they walk the roads near the woods. However, close attention should be paid to wooded areas or clearings and, above all, to drive at a moderate speed ”. Statistics in hand it is noted that every year in Ticino about a hundred deer and over 180 roe deer are invested. Not to mention all the other smaller animals for which the hunting and fishing office is not consulted. “But we know that there are a lot of them - points out Croci -. The period in which the greatest number of accidents occur is precisely winter, followed by the beginning of spring ”.
Salt trap - To attract animals, especially deer and roe deer, it is also the salt spread on the tar in recent weeks. “It is rich in minerals - notes Besomi -. And the beasts are very greedy for it. It can happen to anyone to find themselves in front of one of these large animals. Often, however, due to the high speed and the frozen ground, it is not possible to avoid the impact ”. From these premises Croci's appeal: “Often this problem is underestimated. In such an accident you can risk your life. Not only that of the animal, but also one's own ".
Patrick Mancini
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