Wildlife

Wildlife Road Mortality: Scale, Impact and Solutions

Roads kill billions of animals annually worldwide. Traffic mortality is a significant welfare and conservation issue, particularly for slow-reproducing species like large mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Key Facts

An estimated one billion vertebrates are killed annually on roads in Europe alone
Badgers, hedgehogs, and deer are among the most common road casualties in the UK
Road mortality can threaten local population viability for slow-reproducing species
Wildlife crossings and underpasses dramatically reduce road mortality where installed
Hedgehog populations have declined over 50% since the 1950s, partly due to road mortality

Welfare Considerations

Road casualties represent enormous preventable suffering. Animals hit by vehicles experience acute injury, pain, and death, and vehicle strikes often result in injury rather than instant death. Orphaned young left after a parent's road death add to the suffering toll. Engineering solutions — wildlife crossings, barrier fencing, speed limits — reduce this preventable mortality.

What You Can Do

Slow down when driving at dawn, dusk and night in wildlife-rich areas
Support Wildlife Trusts campaigns for wildlife crossing infrastructure funding
If you see a road casualty, stop safely and check for orphaned young
Install toad tunnels and amphibian fencing during autumn toad migration seasons
Advocate for wildlife crossing requirements in road planning and impact assessment