On a dim Saturday evening in late August, the Chaleur Lightning hockey squad had just finished an exhibition match against the Miramichi Timberwolves and embarked on their team bus journey back to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recounted hearing the driver gasp shortly after departure. “It happened within the first five minutes of the drive. I saw a figure ahead, followed by a loud bang,” Ouellet recollected. The bus had collided with a moose on the highway, but fortunately, only the driver sustained minor scratches, with the rest of the team and coaches unharmed.
The encounter with the moose left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, a memory shared by many New Brunswickers who have faced similar wildlife encounters. “Every time I travel those roads, especially in the evening and at night, I will be thinking about it for sure,” Ouellet stated. Coincidentally, that same week, the province revealed plans to introduce two new wildlife crossings on that particular highway stretch.
In an effort to deter moose from straying onto roadways, New Brunswick employs wildlife fencing and crossings or tunnels. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the placement of these mitigation measures is determined by analyzing collision data provided by law enforcement to identify high-risk areas. Currently, both sides of 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are shielded by wildlife fencing, but Chiasson emphasized the need for non-intrusive methods to allow wildlife to move through their habitat freely.
The province boasts 82 wildlife crossings, including two recently installed tunnels on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst. These tunnels, exceeding four meters in height and width, are designed to accommodate various wildlife species. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes, who led the research on the impact of wildlife tunnels, highlighted the importance of creating intuitive pathways for animals to use.
Forbes noted that the tunnels are not exclusively utilized by large mammals, as smaller creatures such as beavers, ducks, and bats also make use of them. Despite the implementation of wildlife tunnels, collision rates have remained steady, with 409 incidents reported in 2024, including injuries and one fatality. The Department of Transportation continues to prioritize safety measures to reduce collisions, including maintaining clear guidelines along roadways.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area but acknowledged the challenges of preventing every potential collision. “You try to make the best of a tough situation and implement the most preventative measures you can,” Ouellet remarked, recognizing the ongoing efforts to enhance road safety amidst wildlife habitats.