Wildlife Road Crossings: Reducing Mortality and Fragmentation

Roads are one of the most significant threats to wildlife populations globally, causing direct mortality and fragmenting habitats. Wildlife crossing structures including tunnels, bridges, and culverts dramatically reduce these impacts.

Key Facts

An estimated 100,000 hedgehogs and millions of other animals are killed on UK roads annually
Wildlife crossings reduce mammal mortality on roads by 70-90% in well-studied examples
Badger tunnels under roads have been standard practice in the UK since the 1980s
Green bridges (vegetated overpasses) support movement of a wide range of species including deer and small mammals
Fragmented populations suffer from genetic isolation, disease, and local extinction
Road ecology as a discipline now informs infrastructure design to minimize wildlife impacts

Welfare Considerations

Road collisions cause acute trauma and pain to wildlife, with many animals surviving injuries only to die slowly from internal injuries or blood loss. Injured animals found by members of the public should be covered with a blanket, kept in a quiet box, and taken promptly to a wildlife veterinarian or wildlife rescue center. Permanent prevention through well-designed crossing structures is far more effective than rescue. Connectivity of habitat patches through underpasses or overpasses supports genetic diversity and population resilience.

What You Can Do

Report road-injured wildlife to local wildlife rescue organizations for prompt care
Slow down when driving near wildlife warning signs especially at dawn and dusk
Support campaigns for wildlife-sensitive road design in new and upgraded infrastructure
Encourage local authorities to install wildlife crossing structures on high-mortality roads
Join or support wildlife corridor initiatives in your area
Plant wildlife-friendly hedgerows and vegetation to provide cover and connectivity near roads