Wildlife and Roads: Mitigation Strategies

Roads kill hundreds of millions of animals annually worldwide. Evidence-based road mitigation measures can dramatically reduce wildlife mortality and maintain ecological connectivity.

Key Facts

UK roads kill an estimated 100,000 hedgehogs, 50,000 badgers, and millions of birds annually
Wildlife underpasses can reduce animal road mortality by up to 97%
Fencing guides animals to safe crossing points rather than onto the road
Speed limits in wildlife corridors reduce collision rates
Green bridges (wildlife crossings) restore habitat connectivity for larger mammals

Welfare Considerations

Death or injury from vehicle collision is a significant source of wild animal suffering. Animals killed instantly may suffer briefly, but many are severely injured and die slowly at the roadside. Beyond individual suffering, roads fragment habitat, preventing the movement between habitat patches that is essential for genetic diversity and population viability. The welfare and conservation case for road mitigation is identical: underpasses, wildlife bridges, and animal-friendly drainage systems benefit individual animals and populations simultaneously. The evidence for the effectiveness of these measures is strong; the barrier is investment and political will.

What You Can Do

Slow down in known wildlife areas particularly at dawn and dusk
Report wildlife road casualties to the national recording schemes
Support campaigns for wildlife underpasses and crossings on new road developments
Plant hedges and leave grass unmown to provide safe wildlife corridors around roads
Advocate for wildlife-sensitive road design to be standard in all infrastructure planning