Wild vertebrate roadkill in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Central Brazil

A study of roadkill in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, a critical Cerrado protected area, revealed significant vertebrate mortality linked to habitat structure and seasonal variations. Over three years, 824 animals from 138 species were recorded as roadkill along two main roads, with the highest rates during the wet season (0.096 animals per km). Amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals showed distinct associations with forest, pastures, grasslands, and unpaved roads, respectively. The findings highlight the need for mitigation measures such as highway fencing and wildlife crossing structures to reduce roadkill in this ecologically vital region.

Braz, V. d. S., & França, F. G. R. (2016). Wild vertebrate roadkill in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Central Brazil. Biota Neotropica, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2014-0182