Saving Animals from the Hazards of Roads

My name is Ira Fischer. I am the co-founder of the startup National Anti-Roadkill Project (NARP). This fundraiser is for the benefit of NARP. NARP’s mission is to protect wildlife from the hazards of America’s highways and roads.

 

I first became involved in this project due to all-to-often seeing the remains of dead animals strewn along roads. These pitiful sightings were profoundly troubling, so I decided to do something to make a difference, as my view was that this carnage was totally unacceptable.

 

In the 1990s, I teamed up with two others to form NARP. However, we could not raise sufficient funding to get the project up and running. It became apparent that protecting wildlife from the danger posed by motor vehicles was an idea ahead of its time. Consequently, NARP was abandoned.

 

Now, there are indications that the time has arrived for this issue to be addressed. Thus, this was the start of NARP’s rebirth. Since its rebirth, NARP has made substantial progress in developing the necessary foundational work to get the project back on its feet. 

 

The progress includes creating social media pages, several successes in persuading traffic officials to install Watch for Wildlife signs, publication of press releases, and a database of research material that can be used to make the project operational once it is funded. That said, NARP must raise funds to get it up and running to make substantial inroads toward achieving its mission. 

One of several Watch for Wildlife signs being installed by traffic officials after NARP demonstrated the threat to wildlife by road that

cuts through their habitat (Photo: Vanessa Mejia)

 

One of several Watch for Wildlife signs installed by traffic officials after NARP urged them of the necessity to protect turtles at a nearby pond

(Photo: Ira Fischer)

THE PROBLEM

Conservative estimates indicate that in the United States - - every day - - vehicle collisions kill over 1 million vertebrate animals. NARP will tackle that alarming statistic and significantly reduce the colossal number of deaths and countless crippling injuries (often leaving behind helpless orphans) that occur on America’s roads due to being struck by motor vehicles. NARP will champion wildlife - - that must cross roads for their survival - - by implementing a game plan to help protect them from avoidable wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs).

THE FLORIDA PANTHER

This endeavor is particularly critical for endangered species, such as the Florida panther, since road kills are a leading cause of death of this iconic feline. Once NARP is fully operational, its initial campaign will address the panther roadkill crisis by zealously focusing on driver safety measures and road safety measures to mitigate their risk of extinction. With your support, NARP can deploy its action plan to tackle this crisis before it is too late to save these magnificent creatures. 

Florida panther killed by a car near Naples, FL.

(Photo: Carlton Ward Jr./ NatGeo)

 

THE SOLUTION  

NARP intends to achieve its mission by advocating for the implementation of driver and road safety measures, which will complement the progress made by governmental agencies and NGOs in developing wildlife crossings and wildlife corridors. Millions of miles of roads are unaffected by these structures, which leaves wild animals vulnerable to the ever-present danger of vehicular traffic. NARP will help to fill that void with its program of the above safety measures.

 

NARP will coordinate its efforts with governmental wildlife services, DMVs, DOTs and NGOs to reduce avoidable WVCs. NARP’s roadkill mitigation strategy will primarily aim at drivers, who must be educated to consider the welfare of wildlife when they are behind the wheel. This strategy will also target governmental agencies responsible for safety on our roads, including legislators charged with making laws that impact highway safety. 

Light bar on car technology helps deer steer clear

(Photo: Animal Welfare Institute)

The time is long past due to address this issue head-on with a new paradigm that finds it intolerable to view the maiming and killing of wildlife as simply a price we pay for the convenience of driving in the modern age. This paradigm would pave the way for nature to coexist with our 4-million-mile public road network.

 

NARP’s initiative can and will make a difference for the defenseless creatures trapped in the network of roads that have invaded their habitat. I hope you will support NARP to help to make this challenge a reality.

 

Donors should know that NARP is not yet registered as a tax-deductible charitable organization (IRS 501(c)(3)), so they cannot receive a tax deduction for a donation. Registration as a charitable organization will take considerable time. This fundraiser is starting, at this time, so that NARP can begin its critical work without delay. 

Donors should also know that when they click the Donate button, it will automatically display that the donation will benefit Ira Fischer (the Organizer). However, funds are programmed to be delivered to the bank account of NARP (the Beneficiary). Also, note that the auto-generated donation tip goes to GoFundMe (not NARP) and can be deleted or adjusted using the slide bar.

Since NARP does not yet have a website, you can visit its Facebook page or the Roads Kill page of Ira Fischer’s personal website in the interim. Thank you. 

https://www.facebook.com/AntiRoadkillProject 

 

https://irafischer.com/roads-kill