Wildlife–vehicle collisions in South-central Uganda: implications for biodiversity conservation

Abstract

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.