Last weekend was deadly for red deer, the most common species of European deer, which is trying to recolonize the Jura. Three of these deer – a doe and her two fawns – died following being hit by a train on the Delémont-Moutier railway line, near Choindez, on Saturday evening August 20, the Jura authorities announced in a press release on Monday 22 august.
A SBB team, a rescue train and two auxiliary game wardens were mobilized to evacuate the animal carcasses, they said.
The canton of Jura regrets that this collision – the second in two years in this sector – has delayed the establishment of a first herd of deer, while deer have become more visible once more in the region following their disappearance in the 19th century.
Complementary measures?
The bottleneck formed by the industrial site of Choindez with Roche Saint-Jean is located on a wildlife movement corridor of national importance, explain the Jura authorities.
After the work on the A16 and the relocation of the cantonal road to the Verrerie sector, “a new assessment of the situation will be made by the Office of the Environment to allow possible additional measures at the level of the line railway,” according to the statement.