Nada Hassanein

Democrat staff writer

Drivers should take caution as construction along Orange Avenue may pose danger for otters and beavers in the waterway underneath the road.

Home to an otter and beaver habitat, part of Munson Slough runs between the entrance to Innovation Park at Paul Dirac Drive and Eisenhower Street, right where part of the sidewalk is being constructed.

Animals attempt to cross the street to get to the other side of the creek, but due to a cement barricade blocking the area where they try to go around, they get run over by passing cars, said Melissa Ward, a local resident who first saw a beaver dead near the construction site three weeks ago. A week later, an otter met a similar fate. Ward said her mother has seen eight beavers dead in the past few weeks.

Tori Bakley, a St. Francis Wildlife Association volunteer, drives down Orange Avenue frequently for her commute. She’s seen at least five dead beavers in that area.

"If there's a concern there with wildlife, that's something we can definitely look at to see if there's any changes we can make to the work site," said Ian Satter, Florida Department of Transportation's public information director. He explained that it's a "balancing act" since "the barriers are for the safety of the workers and the drivers."

St. Francis Wildlife advises drivers to approach that shoulder carefully and to drive cautiously.

"Drive slowly. Be aware of what's going on not only on the road but on the sides of the road," Sandy Beck, St. Francis Wildlife education director, said.

Beck said geese are another common animal that drivers need to watch out for on the road if driving near bodies of water. Whether there's construction or not, "it's the same all over town."

"Their mothers never taught them to look both ways before crossing the street," she said with a chuckle.

Last year, the Tallahassee Police Department called St. Francis Wildlife to report a beaver near Cascades Park moving "erratically." When a volunteer arrived, she saw it moving between cars, Beck said. The association rescued and released it into a swamp far from traffic.

The 2.6-mile-long sidewalk construction is expected to be complete this summer, Satter said.

If drivers come across a beaver or otter that’s injured, they can contact the wildlife association at 850-627-4151 or by emailing stfranciswildlife@comcast.net.

Reach Hassanein at nhassanein@tallahassee.com.