Wildlife

Road Traffic and Animal Welfare

Roads kill billions of animals globally every year through direct collision, creating one of the largest sources of anthropogenic animal mortality and suffering.

Key Facts

An estimated 1-2 billion vertebrates are killed on roads in the US annually
Hedgehogs, badgers, barn owls and deer are among the most road-killed species in the UK
Road networks fragment habitats, isolating populations and causing chronic range restriction
Wildlife crossings reduce road mortality by 80-95% for target species
Some animals are attracted to road verges as grassland habitat, increasing collision risk

Welfare Considerations

Road strike causes acute trauma and death — but not always instantaneous. Animals that are not killed outright suffer pain, shock and hypothermia before death or rescue. Crepuscular and nocturnal species face highest risk during human-active driving hours. The welfare harm of road mortality is on an enormous scale globally. Wildlife crossings are among the most cost-effective welfare interventions available per animal life saved.

What You Can Do

Slow down at dawn and dusk when wildlife movement peaks on rural roads
Support campaigns for wildlife crossing inclusion in all major road infrastructure projects
Report road-killed animals to national recording schemes to support mapping and mitigation
If you encounter a road-injured animal, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately