New infrastructure needed to keep wild boars off Sweden’s roads
Traffic accidents involving wild animals have increased steadily and the Swedish Transportation Administration has called for better infrastructure to keep boars off the roads.
The bill for insurance and medical costs for accidents caused by wild animals is estimated to be between SEK 3 billion and 4 billion. Hundreds of people are injured in collisions with animals each year, reports newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
Much of Swedish infrastructure that is currently in place to prevent animals from wandering on to the road is designed for deer and moose. But populations of wild boar have been on the rise, and the boar are often able to climb under roadside fences.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Wildlife endangered by Yukon warm weather, CBC News
Finland: Developing wildlife tourism good for Finland say experts, Yle News
Sweden: Motorists warned to watch out for wildlife on Sweden’s roads, Radio Sweden
United States: Musk ox invasion keeps wildlife managers busy in Alaska, Alaska Dispatch
