Distribution of species-specific wildlife-vehicle accidents on lithuanian roads, 2002-2007

Abstract

The number and spatial distribution of wildlife-vehicle accidents (WVA) in Lithuania in 2002-2007, as registered by the Lithuanian Police Traffic Supervision Service, were analysed. The analysis revealed dangerous roads, most of which were situated in the eastern part of the country. The main factors that influenced the number of WVA involving moose, roe deer, and wild boars registered on Lithuanian roads were the volume of traffic load and the number of vehicles, especially heavy ones, in the country, as well as wildlife population numbers. The observed correlations between the number and spatial distribution of WVA and recorded wildlife inventory data strongly suggest that WVA can be used for indirectly measuring the distributions and populations of wildlife species found in Lithuania.