Omari Gates
Every year, an estimated four million Australian mammals are killed by cars and trucks, with the total annual death toll reaching up to 10 million when including birds, reptiles, and other species. This issue of wildlife-vehicle collisions is a significant concern in Australia, and various measures are being explored to reduce the roadkill count, such as wildlife-proof fences, virtual fences, and wildlife crossing structures. The impact of these collisions extends beyond animal deaths, as human injuries and fatalities from such incidents are also on the rise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Estimated number of Australian mammals killed by vehicles annually | 4 million |
| Estimated total number of animals killed by vehicles annually | 10 million |
| Species most commonly killed by vehicles | Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, Tasmanian devils, possums, koalas |
| Time of day when most collisions occur | Dusk to dawn |
| Solutions attempted to reduce roadkill | Koala-friendly tunnels, wildlife-proof fences, virtual fences, flashing lights and sirens, wind-activated whistles, wildlife crossing structures |
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What You'll Learn
Efforts to reduce roadkill
One method to reduce roadkill is the implementation of well-designed fences to keep wildlife off highways. While this method can fragment the landscape, it is effective in preventing wildlife-vehicle collisions. Similarly, crossing structures such as overpasses and underpasses allow animals to safely cross roads to access food and mates. However, these solutions are often considered too costly to implement across Australia's vast road network.
Virtual fencing is a newer method that has been trialled in Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland. This system uses posts with units that produce loud sounds and flashing lights aimed away from the road when activated by vehicle headlights. The aim is to give animals time to move away without panicking and reduce the risk of collision. Initial trials in Tasmania showed a 50% drop in possum and wallaby deaths, but recent trials have shown no effect on collisions with possums, wallabies, or wombats.
Other efforts to reduce roadkill include the development of roadkill reporting apps, such as Roadkill Reporter and Roadkill Tasmania, which encourage drivers to report and take pictures of roadkill to help identify hotspots and test interventions. Additionally, some car companies are funding research into accident avoidance and collision mitigation measures, such as the RooBadge, to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions.
While these efforts are important in reducing roadkill, it is also crucial to consider the unique challenges posed by Australia's vast road network and the behaviour of different animal species. Educating people living and driving in areas with high wildlife populations can also help reduce the impact of roads on native wildlife.
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Captivity increasing roadkill risk
In Australia, an estimated 10 million native mammals, reptiles, birds, and other species are killed by vehicles each year. This figure does not include those that are injured and die away from the road or those that survive but suffer terrible injuries and have to be euthanized. The true number of roadkill in Australia is likely higher, as not all incidents are reported, and many injured animals crawl away and die out of sight.
Tasmanian devils, a breed of marsupials native to the island of Tasmania, are among the species vulnerable to roadkill. Conservation efforts to save the species from facial tumor disease, which caused an 80% population decline, included captive breeding and reintroduction programs. However, research has found that Tasmanian devils released into the wild after prolonged captivity were more likely to be fatally struck by vehicles. This vulnerability is attributed to a lack of cognitive stimulation in captivity, hindering their ability to learn and adapt to new environments. The clustering of roadkill events during the first few weeks post-release suggests a learning phase as the devils acclimate to human-made landscapes.
To address this issue, wildlife managers have implemented behavioral training for captive devils to develop negative associations with vehicles and roads. An earlier release of devils onto Maria Island, with fewer human-made threats, also proved successful, with the animals quickly adapting to the site. These strategies aim to improve the survival rates of captive-bred Tasmanian devils upon their release into the wild.
Various measures have been implemented in Australia to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and the resulting roadkill. Traditional methods include the construction of wildlife-proof fences and wildlife crossing structures, such as overpasses and underpasses. However, these solutions can be costly and fragment the landscape. More innovative approaches, such as virtual fences, have been trialed. Virtual fences consist of small boxes placed along the roadside on posts, flashing strobe lights and making warning sounds when activated by approaching vehicle headlights. While initial trials in Tasmania showed a 50% drop in possum and wallaby deaths, subsequent trials in other states did not yield significant results.
Despite these efforts, wildlife-vehicle collisions remain a significant issue in Australia, impacting not only animal populations but also human safety and vehicle repairs. The development of effective solutions requires detailed analysis and understanding of the unique challenges posed by Australia's diverse fauna and vast road network.
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Roadkill reporting and mapping
Australia has no national roadkill monitoring scheme. To address this gap in knowledge, a roadkill reporting application (app) was developed to allow members of the public to join professional researchers in gathering Australian data. The app, called Roadkill Reporter, encourages drivers – or their passengers – to take pictures of dead animals they come across, which are then uploaded to a website for data management. The app automatically stores the time and GPS location alongside the images.
The Australian Roadkill Reporting Project (ARRP) uses the Roadkill Reporter App (RRApp) to track Australian roadkill by means of a smartphone or tablet. Users are required to take a photograph of the roadkill, categorise it as mammal, bird, other or splat (unidentifiable roadkill) and then submit the report. The app ensures that the GPS coordinates and time of day are automatically submitted.
The data collected by the app can be used to identify roadkill hotspots, tabulate species of animals killed and potentially be used for ecological studies of roadkill numbers, species distribution, population trends, animal behaviour and disease. For example, initial results indicate that mammal roadkill mostly occurs at night and that of birds and reptiles during the daytime. Mammals make up three-quarters of the roadkill recorded and this includes endangered species.
The data may also reveal which of Australia’s many efforts to reduce roadkill are working most effectively. Researchers are trying to cut the animal road toll using established measures, such as koala-friendly tunnels and wildlife-proof fences, as well as novel experiments, such as so-called virtual fences. The virtual fences consist of small boxes that are placed along the roadside on posts. The boxes sense a car’s headlights approaching and flash out a strobe light while making a warning, bubbling sound. The goal is to give animals time to move away without panicking, since panicked animals often run into the path of a vehicle.
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Wildlife-proof fencing
An estimated 4 million Australian mammals are killed by cars and trucks each year. The annual death toll could reach 10 million when including bats, snakes, and birds. Many animals also suffer injuries and die away from roads, while some are left with terrible injuries and have to be euthanized.
To address this issue, researchers are exploring various measures to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. One approach is the use of wildlife-proof fencing, which aims to keep animals off highways and roads. While fencing can be effective in reducing wildlife fatalities, it also fragments the landscape. Additionally, certain types of fencing can pose risks to wildlife, such as entanglement in barbed wire fences or large-aperture fruit netting. This has led to initiatives like the Helen George Mammal grant-winning project, which promotes the use of barbless safe-twist wire in fencing.
Fauna Friendly Fencing is another concept that allows for the movement of native animals between properties. This type of fencing is commonly used around new developments adjacent to wildlife corridors. In areas with high snake populations, specialized snake fences can be constructed to prevent them from entering properties.
While fencing can be a useful tool in reducing wildlife roadkill, it is important to consider its limitations and potential impact on the environment. Virtual fencing has emerged as an alternative solution, using flashing lights and warning sounds to alert animals and reduce collision risks. However, the effectiveness of virtual fencing has been questioned, with some trials showing no significant impact on reducing collisions with certain animal species.
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Virtual fencing
An estimated 4 million Australian mammals are killed by cars and trucks each year. The annual death toll could reach 10 million animals once bats, snakes, and birds are included in the tally. To address this issue, researchers are trying to cut the animal road toll using various measures, including "virtual fencing".
The technology was first introduced in Tasmania due to the high rates of roadkill. It made its Australian debut to help protect the vulnerable Tasmanian devil. The first test site was set up in a disease-free area and saw a 50% reduction in roadkill events across common species recorded. One kilometre of fencing saved 163 wallabies over eight months in Southern NSW. The Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) also trialled a virtual fence along a strip of road north of Batemans Bay in 2023, deeming it a success. The council has since installed virtual fences at two more locations and has allocated money in the annual budget to keep installing more fences.
Despite the positive results, some are concerned that the system is being rolled out in many parts of Australia without a solid evidence base, adequate study design, or monitoring. Recent trials in Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland showed no effect of virtual fencing on collisions with possums, wallabies, or wombats.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that around 10 million animals die from roadkill in Australia each year. This number includes native mammals, reptiles, birds, and other species.
Various measures are being implemented to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in Australia. These include the use of wildlife-proof fences, koala-friendly tunnels, and "virtual fences" that use flashing lights and sounds to warn animals away from the road.
Yes, there are apps such as Roadkill Reporter and the government-created app in Australia that allow users to report roadkill and provide information on the location and time of the incident. These apps aim to identify dangerous roads and hotspots for roadkill, helping to prioritize roadkill reduction efforts.
