Animal Defenders of Westchester

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We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

Animal Defenders of Westchester
P.O. Box 205
Yonkers, NY 10704

Press Release

DRAMATIC SOLUTION FOR DEER/CAR COLLISIONS IN WESTCHESTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
KILEY BLACKMAN (914) 237-7306 [email protected]
NADA KHADER (914) 682-4690 [email protected]
TAFFY WILLIAMS (914) 793-9186 [email protected]          

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY August 12, 2004  Members of Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW) will join with WESPAC Foundation and the NY Whale and Dolphin Action League to initiate the creation of 'wildlife corridors' (eco-passages) in Westchester County.

To combat urban sprawl and protect wildlife, many communities have set aside land for wildlife corridors linking natural areas to one another. We are reaching out to County Executive Andrew Spano and the DEC, to discuss implementation.

Several recent articles in the NY Times and THE JOURNAL NEWS have cited the 'problem' of deer and other wildlife trying to co-exist with humans in Westchester County, notably in the Town of Greenburgh, which has formed a committee in response.

According to a University of Florida report on September 16, 2002, "...after massive experiments, results favor wildlife corridors," which are passages created over or under highways, parkways, etc, that allow safe traverse to everything from turtles and reptiles, to deer and larger mammals. "This is by far the largest experimental look at the effects of corridors that has ever been done," said Josh Tewksbury, a UF postdoctoral associate and the study's author. The state of Florida has 36 such corridors, with several others across the country.

According to a National Geographic article of May 12, 2004, grizzly bears, wolves and deer tended to cross on the overpasses, preferring these wide open-air structures. "In Banff, only a black bear and a cougar used the passages, just one time each, in the beginning; now animals from deer to racoons are zipping above and below the road with greater ease - a total of more than 50,000 crossings in seven years.

Nada Khader, Director of WESPAC Foundation, who informed us these corridors are successfully used with larger animals, said "Cities and towns are not built to accommodate the indigenous animal residents, and they should be." Taffy Williams, Director of NY Whale and Dolphin Action League,  agrees: "These corridors could cause a profound reduction in deer/car collisions, reduce auto insurance costs, contribute to more peaceful co-existence between human and non-human animals, and save endangered species as well. It's a very worthwhile endeavor."

Your comments and inquiries are welcome

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