Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, March 21, 2005

Watch the roads for young critters

By Lukas Velush / Herald Writer

 Spring is only one day old, but don't tell that to the squirrels, deer and rabbits.

The recent warm weather has given the Puget Sound region's wildlife a head start at baby-making. That means the little critters new to the world will be out finding their way much earlier than normal.






Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. E-mail The Herald at stsmarts @heraldnet .com.



To that end, rescue centers are reminding drivers to take particular care on the road.

They're also giving tips on what to do if you find an animal that has been injured by a vehicle.

"With the arrival of longer days and warmer temperatures comes a surge in the number of wild animals crossing roads," said Polly Shannon, a spokeswoman for The Humane Society of the United States. "Unfortunately, many never make it to the other side."

If you see an injured animal, first make sure it's safe for you to pull off to the side of the road before you attempt to rescue it, Shannon said. Then approach an injured animal slowly and quietly.

"Animals may go on the defensive, and, if injured, could be dangerous," she said.

Keep them warm, quiet and in the dark until you can get them to a rescue shelter.

First though, would-be rescuers should make sure the animal is actually hurt or lost, said Shannon and wildlife officials from two local animal shelters.

Often a young animal is fine. Fawns and baby rabbits are left behind while the mother forages, and most small birds hop around on the ground before learning to fly.

When animals do need rescuing, people are encouraged to call the Progressive Animal Welfare Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lynnwood or the Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington.

Both will try to save injured or abandoned wildlife that people bring in, and Sarvey will pick up some injured wildlife.

To reach PAWS, call 425-787-2500, extension 817. Sarvey can be reached at 360-435-4817.

North Road isn't finished

Question: Since last summer, North Road has been the pits to drive on.

It connects 164th Street SW and Filbert Road (196th Street SW). After the county fixed a dip in the road at 167th Street SW, two new housing developments were started between Bellflower and Jonathan roads.

Whose responsibility is it to finish painting the middle yellow lines and the white lines at the side of road?

North Road has no streetlights, so we're unable to see what side of the road we're driving on when it's raining and dark.

The companies putting in the new developments haven't painted the roads with traffic striping. Accidents are waiting to happen in our neighborhood.

Janet Summers, Bothell

Answer: The striping on North Road where recent development and sewer extension work occurred is faded because the road could not be re-striped last year because of the construction activity.

County staff will be installing temporary pavement markings to assist delineation until the road can be striped during the upcoming striping season.

North Road is being evaluated (along with several other local streets) as a location where streetlights could be added.

Jim Bloodgood, traffic engineer, Snohomish County Public Works Department
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA