Full Breakdown
Surge in Wildlife Collisions Threatens Saskatchewan Drivers
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) reports roughly 8,800 wildlife-related collisions each year, producing a five-year average of 400 injuries and two fatalities. The province’s highways see a marked rise in incidents during the fall, when moose and deer are most active in crossing roads.
Background & Context
The seasonal increase coincides with animal migration patterns that bring large mammals onto travel routes. SGI’s traffic-safety director Troy Corbett explains that “it’s the meeting time of the year where they may be more active in traveling, maybe routes that they’re maybe not familiar with.”
Impact on Drivers
Robert Belley’s experience illustrates the long-term consequences. While hauling metal bars on his truck, he struck a moose near Lanigan in the fall of 2024. The bars prevented the animal from passing through the vehicle, but Belley suffered severe neurological damage, persistent dizziness, limited mobility in his left hand, and psychological trauma. Two years later he can no longer perform construction work and struggles to replace lost income.
On-the-Ground Reports
Bonnie Dell, executive director of the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan, recounts frequent calls about collisions, especially involving deer and coyotes. A recent coyote rescued after being wedged in a car’s grille was released after six weeks of rehabilitation. Tow-operator Bernie Borgmann, who has handled wildlife-related recoveries for four decades, estimates that 10-20 % of his calls involve animals, describing the incidents as “like hitting a wall” and emphasizing the emotional toll on drivers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's the meeting time of the year where they may be more active in traveling, maybe routes that they're maybe not familiar with,” — Troy Corbett, director of traffic safety community engagement at SGI
- “If a collision is unavoidable, we just recommend that you stay calm, slow down and steer away from the animal,” — Troy Corbett, director of traffic safety community engagement at SGI