With the dry season arriving in the Top End, drivers on Northern Territory roads are being warned to stay vigilant to the dangers of wildlife collisions.
New data has revealed the worst hotspots for crashes involving animals in the Territory, with Katherine topping the list, followed by Adelaide River and Humpty Doo.
Mataranka and Batchelor were named as the fourth- and fifth-worst areas.
The study, conducted by insurance provider AAMI, analysed over 17,000 animal collision claims nationwide from 2022.
Kahl Dwight, AAMI's Head of Motor Claims, said "driver safety is paramount" for the company.
"Any information we can gather to help educate and inform motorists and keep them, their passengers, other road users, and of course wildlife safe, is of course something we'd like to share," he said.
Dusk is shown to be the most dangerous time for wildlife-related road accidents, with 30 per cent of accidents taking place over the weekend.
The study also surveyed the behaviour of the claimants, with 61 per cent of the drivers admitting they would swerve their vehicle or slam on the brakes to avoid hitting an animal, a practice insurance providers want to discourage.
"If, of course, an animal does run out in front of you, we recommend resisting the temptation to swerve your vehicle or brake with excessive force," Mr Dwight said.
"Although that might seem a little counterintuitive, the priority here is to protect yourself, your passengers and other motorists."
Plea to stop after animal-related road incidents
Wildlife accidents are expected to become more prolific now the dry season has arrived in the Northern Territory.
Lilian Whelan from Wildcare Inc said the dry season marks the worst time for road accidents involving wildlife.
"The animals come close to the side of the road," Ms Whelan said.
"And that means that there's a lot of dead animals on the road this time of the year."
Veterinarian Dr Stephen Cutter is encouraging drivers to stay vigilant, especially during the dawn and dusk hours.
"It's getting colder, and roads are warm at night so quite a lot of animals will come onto the road at night-time to warm up and then get hit by a car," Dr Cutter said.
Dr Cutter is the head vet at the Ark Animal Hospital in Yarrawonga, which specialises in wildlife treatment.
He said the staff at the Ark see creatures of all sizes come through their doors, needing treatment to injuries caused by vehicles.
"We've treated crocodiles that have been hit by cars, we've treated snakes, we've even treated a sea turtle that has been hit by a car."
"It's quite amazing how many animals still manage to get run over."
Injured wildlife is often brought into the Ark by members of the public, but many rescues are completed by volunteers from non-profit Wildcare.
Though Wildcare volunteers can perform up to ten rescues a day, Ms Whelan encourages drivers to do their bit if they are involved in a wildlife-related road accident.
"Take the animal off the road, just to the side of the road," she said.
"That way the birds that come along that feed off the dead animal are not also hit by the cars coming on behind you."
"If you do hit a wallaby, or a possum, or a bandicoot on the road, most importantly stop and check the pouches, because there could be a baby in the pouch."
According to Dr Cutter, a towel and a cardboard box are two useful items every driver should carry in their vehicle in case of an accident.
"Most things can be just scooped up with a towel, placed in a cardboard box and brought [to a vet] for help."
In the Northern Territory, injured wildlife can be reported for rescue to Wildcare on 8988 6121 or 0408 885 341.
