Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation

Vehicle collisions with wild animals are a significant cause of wild animal mortality. This impacts their population and spatiotemporal distribution within the ecosystem. Data on the impact of road kills on wild animals, particularly in the south-central part of Uganda, are not present. This study a...

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Main Authors: Gilbert Tayebwa, Priscilla Nyadoi, Benson Turyasingura, Patrick Engoru, Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/5/2/26
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author Gilbert Tayebwa
Priscilla Nyadoi
Benson Turyasingura
Patrick Engoru
Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi
author_facet Gilbert Tayebwa
Priscilla Nyadoi
Benson Turyasingura
Patrick Engoru
Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi
author_sort Gilbert Tayebwa
collection DOAJ
description Vehicle collisions with wild animals are a significant cause of wild animal mortality. This impacts their population and spatiotemporal distribution within the ecosystem. Data on the impact of road kills on wild animals, particularly in the south-central part of Uganda, are not present. This study aimed to investigate the number of species involved in road kills in South-Central Uganda and their spatial and temporal distribution within South-Central Uganda. Three transects, each 40 km in length, were surveyed. In both wet and dry seasons, surveys were conducted monthly in the morning and afternoon from November 2019 through April 2024. The findings showed that 161 wildlife–vehicle accidents were detected within a four-and-a-half-year period, with 178 animal species involved. These incidents belonged to 12 mammals, five reptiles, two amphibians, and 32 avian families. Our study adds to a better understanding of the impact of roads on wildlife in Africa and is an essential starting point regarding conservation efforts to mitigate these effects. It provides a first summary of species that are frequently found as roadkill in this area of south-central Uganda. This acts as a reference point for future studies.
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spelling doaj-art-be034db3dc2f4d9c8e8fcbaf554ea70e2025-08-20T03:27:14ZengMDPI AGConservation2673-71592025-05-01522610.3390/conservation5020026Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity ConservationGilbert Tayebwa0Priscilla Nyadoi1Benson Turyasingura2Patrick Engoru3Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi4The International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership, E-11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI 53913, USAUganda Wildlife Society, Plot 39 Babiiha Avenue, Kololo, Kampala P.O. Box 7422, UgandaDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources, Kabale University, Plot 364 Block 3 Kikungiri Hill, Kabale Municipality, Kabale District, Kabale P.O. Box 317, UgandaThe International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership, E-11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI 53913, USAThe International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership, E-11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, WI 53913, USAVehicle collisions with wild animals are a significant cause of wild animal mortality. This impacts their population and spatiotemporal distribution within the ecosystem. Data on the impact of road kills on wild animals, particularly in the south-central part of Uganda, are not present. This study aimed to investigate the number of species involved in road kills in South-Central Uganda and their spatial and temporal distribution within South-Central Uganda. Three transects, each 40 km in length, were surveyed. In both wet and dry seasons, surveys were conducted monthly in the morning and afternoon from November 2019 through April 2024. The findings showed that 161 wildlife–vehicle accidents were detected within a four-and-a-half-year period, with 178 animal species involved. These incidents belonged to 12 mammals, five reptiles, two amphibians, and 32 avian families. Our study adds to a better understanding of the impact of roads on wildlife in Africa and is an essential starting point regarding conservation efforts to mitigate these effects. It provides a first summary of species that are frequently found as roadkill in this area of south-central Uganda. This acts as a reference point for future studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/5/2/26roadkillsdevelopmentsouth-central Ugandawildlife–vehicle collisionswildlife mortalities
spellingShingle Gilbert Tayebwa
Priscilla Nyadoi
Benson Turyasingura
Patrick Engoru
Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi
Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation
Conservation
roadkills
development
south-central Uganda
wildlife–vehicle collisions
wildlife mortalities
title Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation
title_full Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation
title_fullStr Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation
title_full_unstemmed Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation
title_short Wildlife–Vehicle Collisions in South-Central Uganda: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation
title_sort wildlife vehicle collisions in south central uganda implications for biodiversity conservation
topic roadkills
development
south-central Uganda
wildlife–vehicle collisions
wildlife mortalities
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/5/2/26
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AT priscillanyadoi wildlifevehiclecollisionsinsouthcentralugandaimplicationsforbiodiversityconservation
AT bensonturyasingura wildlifevehiclecollisionsinsouthcentralugandaimplicationsforbiodiversityconservation
AT patrickengoru wildlifevehiclecollisionsinsouthcentralugandaimplicationsforbiodiversityconservation
AT adalbertaineomucunguzi wildlifevehiclecollisionsinsouthcentralugandaimplicationsforbiodiversityconservation