Miistakis Institute

From trail cameras to conservation: our project is documenting wildlife activity near animal-vehicle collision hotspots on highways in Rocky View and Foothills Counties. The data will support work to protect ecological connectivity in the region, and can inform road mitigation design to keep wildlife and people safe.

Thank you to participating private landowners and land trusts for hosting a trail cam on their properties! 📸🌲

“Oh hey, fancy seeing you here” meets “I think I took a wrong turn” energy.

🚧 On the Road to Smarter Mitigation 🦌

Wildlife–vehicle collisions aren’t just inconvenient—they’re a serious safety issue for people and wildlife alike. In British Columbia, an estimated 12,000 collisions happen every year, involving deer, moose, elk, bears, and more.

So how do we decide where mitigation is needed most?

We estimated a BC-specific composite collision cost (~$120,500 per collision), a vital part of a benefit–cost analysis, to guide smarter investments in solutions like fencing, wildlife crossings, and detection systems.

This can be part of a broader decision-making framework that also considers wildlife and social values, helping ensure mitigation efforts are not only cost-effective, but also support connectivity and long-term conservation outcomes.

Thank you to the BC Ministry of Transportation, with contributions from Alberta Transportation & Economic Development and Biodiversity Pathways.

Read the full story in our recent newsletter: https://www.rockies.ca/newsletter/spring2026_moti.php