DYNAMICS OF WILDLIFE-VEHICLE COLLISIONS ON ROADS OF KARLOVAC COUNTY, CROATIA

Abstract

Here we examine the incidence and frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions (daily and yearly dynamics) in Karlovac county. In the period from 2005 to 2008, 743 wildlife- vehicle collisions were recorded. 83,58 % of road killed wild animals were roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 6,46 % wild boar (Sus scrofa) while the recorded proportion of other species was low. The highest risk of collision was in April and May, although the risk was high in other seasons as well, especially during autumn. Majority of daily collisions occured in the morning (5 a.m.-8 a.m.) and in the evening (6 p.m.-10 p.m.). The results of this research will be used as basis for implementation of mitigation strategy.

Keywords

• wildlife
• collision dynamics
• roe deer
• traffic