Environmental Welfare

Welfare of Wild Animals and Road Salt

Road salt used in winter deicing affects wildlife through sodium attraction causing road mortality, altering wetland chemistry, and physiological impacts on sensitive species.

Key Facts

Millions of tonnes of road salt are applied in North America annually
Moose and deer are attracted to road salt licks causing vehicle collision risk
Elevated sodium in roadside wetlands changes plant communities affecting wildlife habitat
Amphibians are particularly sensitive to chloride from road salt runoff
Alternatives to road salt including sand and organic deicers reduce wildlife impacts

Welfare Considerations

Road salt welfare impacts span from acute vehicle collisions from sodium-attracted ungulates to chronic habitat degradation from wetland salinization. Reducing road salt use and using alternatives where possible reduces preventable wildlife welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support municipal road salt reduction programs
Advocate for alternatives to chloride-based road deicers in sensitive wildlife areas
Donate to research into wildlife-safe road deicing approaches
Be aware of salt-attracted wildlife on roads during winter months