Published in the Post Register, August 19th, 2019

 Last week I stopped for a road-killed moose on the shoulder of US-20  south of Island Park, pulling off in a safe turnout. In life, she would  have been a beautiful animal. She had a sleek coat and full udders,  indicating she was nursing. Her calf was undoubtedly orphaned by her  death.

When I contacted the Department of Fish and Game to report  the animal, I learned she was the second moose in a week killed on  Ashton Hill. One-hundred-sixty-one large animals were killed on Fremont  County Highways in 2018. More than 60 large animals have been killed  since Jan. 1 this year.

Soon  after I saw the moose, a story about the U.S. Forest Service receiving a  grant to conduct a study of roadkill on Fremont County highways hit the  news. Conspiracy theorists came out of the woodwork, voicing deep fear  and anger over other issues.

Why such hysteria over a study to  gather facts and data? I applaud the U.S. Forest Service for seeking the  grant. Upon inquiring, I learned the grant was made under a federal  program to fund “citizen science projects” — when regular citizens help  gather data. It did not take away from funds available for other  projects.

I  appreciate the U.S. Forest Service seeking more data about roadkill and  working with a state agency. I am grateful for the local volunteers who  want to help. What is so scary about this?

Jean Bjerke

Island Park