Train rams into reindeer herd
Train rams into reindeer herdAn estimated 40 reindeer were mowed down by a passing train over the weekend after they'd roamed onto the tracks. Half were killed instantly, while nearly 20 had to be put out of their misery. The grisly accident occurred near Vongraven between Røros and Trondheim Saturday afternoon. Newspaper Adresseavisen reported that around 40 reindeer cadavers were left lying along the tracks after the collision. Local reindeer herder Even Danielsen claimed the tragedy could have been avoided if fences along the tracks had been properly maintained. Danielsen told Adresseavisen that the fences previously were maintained by state railway NSB, but responsibility was turned over to the state agency in charge of railroad infrastructure in Norway, Jernbaneverket. He said the fences haven't been maintained for the past 10 to 15 years and have collapsed in several places. He believes Jernbaneverket has a moral obligation to maintain fences along railroad tracks. "They say it's cheaper to pay compensation for animals that are killed, than it is to set up fences," he said. Jernbaneverket officials said the owners of the reindeer would be compensated for the loss of the animals. "We can't manage to fence in all the tracks," said Jernbaneverkets information chief Ellen Svendsvoll.
posted by Unknown @ 11:45 AM
3 Comments:
it's cheaper to pay compensation for animals that are killed, than it is to set up fences
I don't understand. Fences are cheap. Here in the U.S., the railroad might be forced to build elevated sections of track so wildlife could pass freely underneath -- perhaps that is the cost Jernbaneverkets wishes to avoid?
And why not force the owner of the catle to watch it? And if the animals were savage why has anybody to be compensated?
If they could put the fences up and maintain them until about ten or fifteen years ago, what has happened that they cannot maintain them now?
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