All to often these days folks are in a hurry. Between talking on cell phones, drinking coffee, arguing with kids and partners, and tending pets in vehicles, there seems to be little time to devote to - ah - actually driivng, let alone watching the road for wildlife.
Many native animals are attracted to road verges either to graze on the fresh grass along the side of the road, feed on dead carrion, a result of road kill, or as a natural through fare between one area and another. Whatever the reason, it is paramount when travelling to watch out for wildlife.
Last week I was doing some work in the north of the state and came across this highly threatened Spotted Tiger Quoll ( Dasyurus maculatus maculatus). The Spotted Tiger Quoll is a marsupial cat and inhabits the east coast of Australia and the island state of Tasmania. Its former range in mainland Australia has been drastically reduced due to human influences and Tasmania is one of their last strongholds.
Unfortunately, the quoll in Tasmania is now becoming more difficult to find as population numbers are far less than a decade earlier. Possible reason sited are forestry operations, land clearing, introduction of feral cats, and the reduction of Tasmanian devil numbers (by facial Tumour Disease). Whatever the "true" reason, it's disheartening to find a road killed quoll.
So next time your out and about - keep your eyes peeled and SLOW DOWN for wildlife.