Deer-vehicle collisions in Lubelskie region in Poland. Safety coefficients

Abstract

Abstract. In the investigations, the number of collisions with red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758), and elks (Alces alces Linnaeus, 1758) registered on the roads of 18 districts of the Lubelskie region in Poland in 2011-2013 was analysed. The relationships between the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions and the abundance of the analysed animal species, forestation, road density, and the number of registered vehicles in the districts were examined. The trend towards changes in these factors was analysed and safety coefficients, i.e. the number of accidents per 1000 vehicles, the number of accidents per 1-km 2 area, the number of accidents per 1000 animals, accident density, and animal density per 1-km 2 area, were calculated. 1073 wildlife-vehicle collisions were recorded in the analysed period (2011)(2012)(2013). Over half of the traffic incidents, i.e. 66%, were collisions with roe deer, collisions with red deer represented 27%, and accidents with elks accounted for 7%. The distribution of the wildlife-vehicle collisions was not uniform across the Lubelskie region. The greatest numbers were noted in Puławy (161), Lubartów (132), and Biała Podlaska (107) Districts, which was probably related to the substantial increase in the abundance of the analysed animal species and in the number of registered vehicles. The lowest number of incidents was noted in Janów (14), Opole (14), and Łęczna (18) Districts.

Deer Rescue in Tuscany: Retrospective Analysis and Assessment of Radiography Diagnoses

“…Our results are also in line with studies in other countries in Europe [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Accidents involving roe deer represent the majority of the wildlife collisions with vehicles in Lithuania [ 25 , 26 ] and Poland, where over half of the traffic incidents (66%) involving wildlife were collisions with roe deer [ 27 ].…”

“…Our results are also in line with studies in other countries in Europe [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Accidents involving roe deer represent the majority of the wildlife collisions with vehicles in Lithuania [ 25 , 26 ] and Poland, where over half of the traffic incidents (66%) involving wildlife were collisions with roe deer [ 27 ]. Additionally, in a study performed in Switzerland about causes of mortality and morbidity in roe deer, the main diagnoses of non-infectious problems were traumas (61%), including blunt trauma due to traffic accidents [ 28 ].…”

The declining occurrence of moose (Alces alces) at the southernmost edge of its range raise conservation concerns

“…Sweanor and Sandegren (1988) determined a migration distance of 320 km in Sweden and migrations in Alaska of up to 280 km were reported by Gasaway et al., (1983). These long migrations may increase the risk of vehicle collisions (Tajchman et al., 2017). Thus, future research on moose should focus on their seasonal habitat selection and their long‐distance movements.…”

Management of hunting animals population as breeding work. Part II: Hunting and breeding work on red deer (Cervus elaphus) and elk (Alces alces) populations

“…However, migrations of these animals are a cause of the increasing number of vehicle collisions, which unfortunately have very serious consequences. Maintenance of an appropriate density of the animals in a given area not only brings benefi ts to the game but also ensures safety to humans (Tajchman et al 2017). The effect of multi-species and intense parasitic invasions on the condition of elk is yet unknown.…”