Animal road deaths probed

Council workers in Neath Port Talbot are to start investigating the deaths of rare species of wildlife killed on the county's roads.

It is hoped the initiative will reduce the number of animals such as otters, hares and polecats killed by cars and lorries.

Staff working for the authority's road cleansing service have been given a crash course in animal identification by wildlife TV presenter Howie Watkins, who works as a bio-diversity officer for the council.

Workers will also be keeping their eyes open in case they spot anything that looks suspicious.

Once we can identify how and where animals are dying we can take action

Councillor David Lewis

Criminals like badger baiters, who kill badgers with dogs and set illegal snares, often dump animals by the roadside so they look like the victims of a traffic accident.

Environment cabinet member David Lewis said: "The cleansing teams are responsible for removing dead animals from the county's roads.

"Now they will be helping reduce the numbers that are killed.

Badger killers

"Tracking road kill may seem like an odd thing to do, but for many of our rare and shy animals it can be the only time you see them.

"A single dead animal can lead to the discovery of a whole new colony of live ones that might need protecting.

"Once we can identify how and where animals are dying we can take action."

Mr Watkins has been using field guides, photographs and live animals during the courses.

We will be placing signs up to warn motorists of wild animals on the road in key locations

Howie Watkins

"Some of my slides are a bit gruesome, but at least they leave you in no doubt when it comes to knowing what a badger that's been killed by a dog or a snare looks like," added Mr Watkins.

"If we get so much as a sniff of badger killers in the area, we can now take action."

Wildlife warning signs will be placed at accident black spots to warn motorists.

And special reflectors will be used to bounce lights from car headlamps into bushes and hedges at the side of the road to discourage animals from crossing.

"There are over 500 miles of road in Neath Port Talbot," added Mr Watkins.

Bright lights

"Without the help of a dedicated survey team we'd stand no chance at pinning down where the wild animal accident hotspots are.

"Once a hotspot has been identified, it's important we take action to reduce the chances of further accidents.

"We will be placing signs up to warn motorists of wild animals on the road in key locations.

"There will also be signs that warn the wild animals about the cars.

"Obviously badgers and otters can't read, but they do react to bright lights.

"We're going to be using special reflectors to bounce the headlights of approaching cars into the bushes from where an animal might be about to emerge.

"With sudden, bright light in their faces, many animals freeze - this keeps them safely off the road until the car has passed."