Safety on roads

Every year, thousands of animals are injured or killed on Victorian roads and sometimes, people trying to help are also put at risk. 

When responding to wildlife incidents, safety must always come first. Wildlife Victoria urges all volunteers and members of the public to take the following precautions when stopping near a roadway: 

• Only stop if it is safe to do so 

• Stay visible by using your headlights and hazard lights and wear high-visibility clothing with reflectors 

• Call Wildlife Victoria immediately on 03 8400 7300 so our Emergency Response Service can coordinate with police and trained volunteers 

• Never step into traffic or walk near a corner where you can’t see oncoming cars, assess the area before approaching. Keep a safe distance from the animal and only approach the animal under instructions from the Emergency Response Service.  

On freeways and high-speed roads such as the Hume, our volunteers do not attend alone. Wildlife Victoria reports these cases to 000. Police will attend and, if safe, our trained volunteers may assist with police support. 

Animal roadstrikes are rising. Wildlife Victoria data shows this trend is continuing, with 15,038 cases so far in 2025 compared to 10,700 at the same time last year - a 40.5% increase. Most of these cases involve Eastern Grey Kangaroos. 

Some areas are more heavily impacted. In 2024, Macedon Ranges saw close to four wildlife roadstrike cases every day, while Hume City Council averaged 3.6 per day. Ten local government areas accounted for 44% of all cases across the state. 

Although these statistics are deeply troubling, it is important to always remember that your safety comes first. Sometimes the best thing you can do is leave the animal and call Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service to coordinate a rescue.