Bird and mammal roadkill patterns and associated factors on a tropical mountain area: the Interamerican Highway, Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica

Researchers identified 34 collision hotspots for birds and mammals along a 45 km section of the Interamerican Highway in Costa Rica, with seven segments experiencing both bird and mammal roadkill. The study found that bird collisions were influenced by forest area at a 150 m scale, distance to rivers, and road sinuosity, while mammal collisions showed no clear association with evaluated variables. Over 8 months, 148 carcasses from 21 species were recorded, highlighting critical zones for mitigation efforts. This study advances understanding of roadkill patterns in tropical mountain areas, providing actionable insights for conservation strategies on the UNESCO-listed Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves.

González-Maya, J. F., Sánchez-Arguedas, L., Rodríguez Pacheco, M., Gutiérrez-Sanabria, D. R., Martínez-Estévez, L., & Schipper, J. (2024). Bird and mammal roadkill patterns and associated factors on a tropical mountain area: the Interamerican Highway, Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rica. Wildlife Research, 51(11). https://doi.org/10.1071/wr24029