Defenders' Experts
Key Deer
Big Pine Key's human population has climbed from 500 to 5,000 residents. Where deer once inhabited nearly all the Keys, they now are isolated to a 6 mile area. Development and tourism continues to swallow land, pushing deer out of their habitat – and straight into traffic. Living in inadequate habitat, Key deer are forced to disperse in search of food. In doing so, they have to cross several roads, including US-1, a major highway which connects the Florida Keys to the mainland. From 1970 to 1992, a total of 1,023 road kills were recorded; of which 526 occurred along US-1 on Big Pine Key. Since 1992, the number of deer road kills has remained well above 30 individuals per year. Indeed, highway mortality is the greatest known source of deer loss.
Over the years, Florida DOT has implemented various measures such as reduced speed limits, a no-passing zone, deer crossing signage and roadside clear-cut maintenance programs in order to reduce the road kill. Currently, FDOT is working with the National Key Deer Refuge and the Fish and Wildlife Service to install wildlife crossings under US-1 to allow deer to move safely to habitat on either side.
