Freshwater and terrestrial turtles face severe mortality from road traffic as roads fragment their habitat, causing welfare harm and population declines across many species.
Turtle road mortality causes both individual suffering — turtles struck by vehicles often do not die immediately — and population-level decline through removal of reproductively mature adults. Because turtles are long-lived and mature slowly, adult mortality has disproportionate population impacts. The individual welfare of road-struck turtles — often surviving with serious injuries — represents both acute and prolonged suffering. Turtle crossing infrastructure, combined with public education about helping turtles safely cross roads, are effective and practical welfare interventions.