Whidbey Island has one of highest wildlife-vehicle crash rates

COUPEVILLE — Whidbey Island has one of the highest numbers of roadkill in the state, with the most reported vehicle-wildlife collisions involving deer, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Deer are part of the island life, as they’re often seen roaming our backyards, streets and even supermarket parking lots. They have grown so comfortable with urbanization that some are concerned for their safety and the safety of drivers. In recent years, Coupeville leaders have discussed solutions to the abundance of deer that ranged from deer birth control to water guns.

According to Ralph Downes, an enforcement officer with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the greatest threat to deer is cars, with about 300 deer being hit every year on Whidbey alone. This number does not account for the deer that survive only to die from their injuries later, out of sight.

According to WSDOT, the most collisions occur along Highway 20 and Highway 525.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/whidbey-island-has-one-of-highest-wildlife-vehicle-crash-rates/