Wildlife Road Mortality and Mitigation

Roads kill billions of animals annually worldwide, making vehicle collisions one of the most significant sources of human-caused wildlife mortality, with proven mitigation measures available.

Key Facts

Roads kill an estimated 1 million vertebrate animals per day in the United States alone
Large mammal-vehicle collisions cause thousands of human fatalities annually
Wildlife crossing structures reduce road mortality by 87-97% in evaluated studies
Underpasses and overpasses are effective for different species with appropriate fencing
Culverts modified for wildlife use provide low-cost mortality reduction
Seasonality affects collision rates with peaks during breeding and migration periods

Welfare Considerations

Animals struck by vehicles experience acute trauma including fractures, internal injuries, and neurological damage that may cause immediate death or prolonged suffering before death. Animals that survive initial impact may suffer for hours to days from injuries before dying or being euthanized. The scale of road mortality represents an enormous preventable welfare harm - billions of animals experiencing traumatic deaths annually from a human-created hazard. Proven mitigation measures exist but are rarely implemented systematically.

What You Can Do

Drive more slowly in areas with wildlife crossing signs, particularly at dawn and dusk
Support funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure as a transportation priority
Report wildlife-vehicle collision data through citizen science programs
Advocate for wildlife crossing requirements in road construction and upgrade projects
Support organizations working to document and reduce road mortality through research and advocacy