Road kill calendar features “silent, tiny tragedies”
By David Menzies
Tired of calendars depicting such claptrap as bikini-clad models, rarefied exoticars, or gorgeous scenic vistas? Then Kevin Beresford has just the calendar for you. And just in time for Christmas.
Beresford recently compiled a calendar featuring vibrant, graphic, detailed images of… road kill.
Busted badgers, ruined raccoons, squished squirrels… Beresford’s calendar boasts a smorgasbord of crushed critters that never quite made it across the street in time.
While some might say such a calendar is tasteless bordering on grotesque, the unapologetic Brit claims he’s already sold “hundreds” of copies.
“The pictures are quite shocking but I’ve tried to take them in an artistic way and make each one into a portrait of a silent, tiny tragedy,” he told the U.K.’s Metro newspaper.
The 57-year-old was inspired by his day job. As a courier, Beresford sees an excess of road kill as he makes his rounds.
“Damien Hirst has made a fortune with dead animals so I thought I’d give it a try,” says Beresford, referring to the British artist who routinely uses deceased creatures preserved in formaldehyde.
While some shops have refused to stock the road kill calendar, Beresford claims it is proving very popular with students.
And, he adds, such a carnage-packed calendar “would make a good Secret Santa office present”… unless one happens to work at a PETA office, no doubt.
Posted by: Laura | 2009-11-23 6:40:35 PM
That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. The idiot who made this calendar should be hit by a car so we can take pictures of him.
Taking a picture of a dead animal so you can view it on a daily basis is morbid and disgusting. What a useless loser. GET A REAL JOB BUDDY!
Posted by: C More | 2009-11-23 7:12:22 PM
Where would one purchase this in Ontario Canada
Posted by: NaNa Trish | 2009-11-23 8:30:30 PM
The calendar is good in the sense that maybe folks who see the images will give a little thought to the poor little creatures who just want to cross the road.
I see so many dead cats, raccoons, deer etc. every day on my way to work. I only drive about 14 miles of highway each day and there are new "victims" almost daily. It makes me wonder how many animals are killed by planes, trains and automobiles every day in this country.
Posted by: kelly | 2009-11-23 8:35:11 PM
It is indeed tragic that many people have so little value for life that they don't think anything of casually flattening some small creature who happens to be in their way. However, this societal obsession with violence and death disturbs me even more. If the roadkill calendar is popular with students, that is not due to its artistic merit, but to the fact that people don't think deeply enough to be offended or disturbed by it. Which is the greatest tragedy of all.
Posted by: CdnMommy | 2009-11-23 10:16:20 PM
Oh come on! He didnt kill them - he took pictures of them and he's making a a few extra bucks from iit. Good for him....and YOU just gave some of YOUR time to post your rude comment (useless loser, idiot - I'm sure your momma is proud of your restraint and behaviour on a public forum - it is possible to have your say without name calling...BUDDY) - so, he got YOUR attention. Mission accomplished I'd say - its his 15 minutes of fame. I live in Northern Ontario and between mosquitos and the cold, there are always "tiny victims" - its part of life. Its not as though he took pictures of human accident victims - its road kill. OH - and a courier is a REAL JOB - read the whole article...thats his day job. (and they make very good money by the way)
Posted by: Kim | 2009-11-24 12:50:56 AM
I brake for squirrel !
Posted by: Go cdnmommy!!! | 2009-11-24 1:00:30 AM
ok laura and every other bleeding heart wannabes listen up.VALUE of LIFE? are you kidding me? that concept is infantile in itself because nothing besides our own senses of pragmatism(ahem thats "self preservation")
deems that life had any value. Just look at animals behaving like animals do they seem to care about the "value of life"? NO they dont because there is no value to life beyond your alive right now, its self interest that makes you say life has value. Death is part of evolution the biggest part actually, if it wasnt gonna be a car hitting the animal today its just some predator/old age/wheather/food shortage that was going to kill these critters in the first place tomorrow or another day. and most ppl dont try to "casually crush animals" you silly child, they're just not about to swerve out of the way on a highway doing like what 100k, for a bunny or mouse or take your pick of furry friend, because thats f**king(no other word to put there for proper emphasis) dangerous, to possibly multiple human lives.
Posted by: NewfieInOntario | 2009-11-24 1:34:30 AM
My thoughts on this is that, yes it may be grotesque to veiw pictures of roadkill on a calendar. But, it also brings awareness to the veiwer about the plight of these lil critters, and the dangers they face daily on our roads and highways. I have an hour and half commute, twice a day, three times a week, here in Ontario. I see soooo much roadkill each and every time I'm on the road. Whether it be cats, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, porcupines, and even birds. Sometimes you also see various other animals, but, those are the most common I've seen. I think as driver's we should be more aware of these critters who may be crossing our path and, when possible, do our best to avoid them. If it takes a disturbing visual on a calendar to bring awareness to people about this issue, then I say keep it up. Plus, the bonus in avoiding animals, when you can, is that you're less likely to have vehicle damages that cost money to repair, from hitting these animals.
Posted by: ajb | 2009-11-24 2:46:13 AM
The truth hurts them more than us. Period..............
Posted by: kelly | 2009-11-24 10:28:05 AM
Oh, of course, the "few extra bucks" justify everything. That is the measure of worth. As for the difference between roadkill and human beings, if people were looking out for animals (instead of exercising their God-given right to speed and/or chatting on their cell phones), they'd hit fewer people and other cars as well. Safer roads for everyone - what a concept.
Posted by: Barb from Calgary | 2009-11-24 7:28:32 PM
Most people I know do not go out of their way to kill animals. Maybe just maybe this calender can be used as a useful tool for letting people know how many animals fall to road kill every day/year.
Posted by: Sue | 2009-11-24 11:26:18 PM
I agree with the posts that think the calendar will make people think twice when they see an animal on the road, to slow down and be careful.
He didn't kill them - he only took pictures of them.
Yeah, he's gonna make some money off it but if not him - then someone else.
Some heartless people do not realize that animals no matter how big or small feel pain just like we do, they didn't just get killed pain free, they suffered a tremendous amount of pain and suffering just like anyone else would getting hit by a car.
Animals feel pain too!!!
Posted by: rod | 2009-11-24 11:27:46 PM
the carnage on the roads is like colateral damage in a war zone . a wakeup for drivers. rarly when someone hits a large anamal they join the body count .pay attention, and slow down after dusk
Posted by: Sam | 2009-12-01 4:08:34 AM
Interesting, so everything about these calenders essentially comes down to Beresford's intentions.
Was he trying to sell discusting photo's to sedistic Teens?
Or is he trying to bring awareness to Drivers about the volume of Animal Casualites?
personally, i think it would be the latter, i think that some of you people do not understand your teens. Yes i would be interested in purchasing this calender, not because i am a freak. Moreover because it is a tribute to God's beautiful creatures, that we take for granted everyday while we are crushing there tiny bodies with our haste. If you think that its discusting that someone would try to make a profit upon such a thing, try and find out thier intentions. By the way, yes i am a teen.