Roadkills in the urban road network of five cities in the aburrá valley (Antioquia, Colombia)

Abstract

This study documents and analyzes the cases of wildlife roadkill found in the urban area of the Aburrá Valley comprised by the metropolitan municipalities of Bello, Medellín, Itagüí, Envigado, and Caldas, with the aim of knowing the most affected species, the effectiveness of the preventive signals installed, and the variables that may influence this phenomenon. The data collected was randomly collected with TAyRA app, along with data obtained by periodic monitoring through two main roads in the area. We found that the animals most affected are birds and mammals, and that the speed limit, along with the width of the road and the distance to the green areas are factors of influence. Additionally, an approximate traffic rate of 0.2 ind / km of urban road / week was calculated. The location of traffic signals is suggested for the prevention of roadkill and the decrease of the impacts that the roads have on urban wildlife.