2011 news releases

For major announcements, decisions, projects or campaigns, SGI circulates news releases to Saskatchewan media.

Moose on the loose!

June 14, 2011

Vehicular collisions with moose have resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people since 2006. Moose are showing up all over the province and the collision rate is escalating.

In 2010, over 13,000 vehicular collisions with wildlife caused the deaths of eight people and injured 377 others. Four of these fatalities were caused by collisions with moose. Since 1990, 5,565 people have been injured in collisions with wildlife. Even when people are lucky enough to escape unscathed, wildlife collisions can still be very damaging. Last year alone SGI spent over forty million dollars repairing vehicles.

To help motorists understand the potential danger involved in colliding with a moose or deer, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, with financial support from SGI, has undertaken a new public safety awareness campaign called Moose On The Loose.

This new message sports a fresh look and sound but, as in previous years, the focus is to remind drivers to slow down and watch for wildlife crossing the roads.

Moose populations have increased tremendously in areas of the province not traditionally known to contain these large majestic animals. Even in the short grass prairie regions of southern Saskatchewan it is not uncommon to see moose roaming the fields in search of food or the company of others. The campaign message will try to convey that moose are very large animals, weighing up to 600kg and have very long legs. If you hit one, you, and your vehicle, may very well be destroyed.

The campaign includes highway billboards, radio and television public service announcements, reflective road-side signs, posters placed in SGI branch offices, placemats provided to select restaurants and used at special events hosted by the Wildlife Federation across the province.