Speed Kills

The death of a river otter on the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike last month — the victim of nearby traffic — should serve as a wakeup call to drivers on the East End.

The loss of the otter, a species that disappeared from Long Island years ago and only now making a slow comeback, highlights a growing problem: Our roads are a deadly barrier for wildlife of all kinds. Add to that the propensity for drivers to speed through the area to make up for lost time in the ever-growing congestion of South Fork commuter traffic, and it’s a disaster for local wildlife.

River otters were once thought to be gone from Long Island entirely, hunted to local extinction by the early 1800s, but conservation efforts in recent years have seen a slow return of the animal to local waters and habitats. But that progress may be cut short by losing battles to vehicles speeding along local roadways.

Biologist Mike Bottini, who has been tracking the otters’ slow return to Long Island for the past two decades, noted that there have been close to 30 reported deaths of the animals from car strikes.

We can help the otters out by making road crossings safer for them by building stairways and ramps over busy roadways near their habitats — but that’s not enough.

The problem is not unique to otters, as a recent email from Joanna Meola from the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center in Hampton Bays reminded: Seasonal traffic on the South Fork is devastating to many species, including foxes, raccoons, deer, turtles and countless birds, which can all fall victim to speeding cars. These animals are hunting, foraging or traveling to feed their young — and when a parent is killed, it’s not just one life lost but potentially an entire family left to starve.

While conservation groups can build bridges and underpasses to help species on the move — and these types of projects should be strongly encouraged and pursued — change begins with all of us.

Slowing down, especially in areas where wildlife is known to cross, can save lives. The East End is prized for its natural beauty — its waters, forests, and the creatures that call it home. It is up to us to ensure that those creatures have a place here, too. A little thoughtfulness behind the wheel can make all the difference.

Let this otter’s death be a catalyst for change, not just another passing glance at the side of the road.