Watch Out for Roadkill!

I would like to call attention to the mass amounts of roadkill around the area. Lately, there has been something dead on every road, around every corner. I would be the one to know, as I am a member of the St. Lawrence University cross-country team and Nordic team, who runs or skis the roads almost daily. This is an issue that affects not only the appearance of the town and roads, but also safety and our relationship with the surrounding environment.

One morning on the Kipsad loop, I saw three dead deer, a dead raccoon, a dead porcupine, a dead squirrel and even a dead kitten! Another time, I was roller skiing through the rain on Judson Road when I witnessed an entire family of snapping turtles get demolished right in front of me. There were babies that looked not even two weeks old. As I heard their squeals of death and saw all the turtles slowly bleed out on the road, I was traumatized. 

Coming from Northern Vermont, this caught my attention, as this was the most amount of roadkill I had ever seen on a running loop before. At first, I thought that this was extremely unusual to see as much as I did. But I soon realized that this is a normal occurrence in New York. 

Each year in New York, roadkill deaths result in about 100,000 animals per year, including deer, turtles and other species that have important roles in our ecosystems. The New York State Department of Transportation estimates that for every 15 miles of town highways, there are about 300 mammals killed per year. This is only a rough estimate, as many roadkill events are never officially recorded, especially with smaller animals. This is a concerning amount, as these high numbers represent not only animal deaths, but also danger to people and habitat disruption. 

These accidents not only cause declines in animal populations but also create sketchy situations for drivers. This leads to lots of injuries, lots of money in vehicle damage, and even loss of life. To help prevent some of this, remember that there are several steps that all residents and visitors can take when driving through Canton, N.Y.! Slow down in rural areas, be alert whenever you see a road crossing sign, use high beams at night, and encourage passengers to help keep watch. 

I am asking for your help in reducing the numbers and frequency of these accidents, as I can’t bear to see any more kittens or snapping turtles dead on the side of the road! Please use caution and be more mindful when driving. Reducing roadkill means protecting our community, as well as protecting the wildlife in Canton. 

Respectfully, Zeb Whitlock ’29