Western Australia has plenty of native wildlife, so travellers need to watch for roaming animals such as kangaroos, cattle and even large birds that often settle on the road.
Animals are more active around dusk and dawn and are often confused by the sound of a vehicle, running towards it instead of away. The most effective way to keep the local wildlife and yourself safe is to reduce your speed and to be aware of the unpredictable nature of native animals.
If a large animal such as kangaroos or cow suddenly appears on the road in front of you, brake firmly and sound your horn. Do not try to swerve around the animal as you are likely to run onto the gravel verge and lose control or roll over.
Kangaroos are prevalent, especially in the early mornings and evenings. Emus are unpredictable and often have a mate following close behind. Cattle like to camp on roads at night and are hard to see.
Other animals you may see that can be dangerous to motorists include wild horses, goats, donkeys, camels and large birds feeding on road kill.
Even if the animal appears stationary near the edge of the road or is moving away, slow down and be alert, they are easily startled and can run in front of your car.
If you do hit a large animal and kill it, try to remove the carcass from the road for the safety of other motorists. Injured animals are unpredictable, so take care when handling them. Be wary of the tail and rear legs of kangaroos as they can cause serious injury. Use towels and rugs for smaller animals.
Keep safe - drive slower, keep alert and try to avoid travelling at high-risk times of dawn and dusk when wildlife is more active. At night, always drive within the visibility of your headlights.
