Diversity, Seasonality, and Distribution Patterns of Mammalian Roadkill in Ilam Province, West of Iran

The destruction and disintegration of wildlife habitats are primarily caused by roads, and wildlife-vehicle collisions, are triggered by the close interaction between humans and wildlife habitats around the globe. This study examines all identifiable road collisions of animals in Ilam Province from 2017 to 2022, with the aim of examining variety, seasonality, and the pattern of mammalian roadkill. A total of 317 mammals belonging to 13 species were killed in collisions with vehicles. The highest total number of roadkills was recorded for dogs, jackals, and foxes, which collectively accounted for more than 73% of all recorded accidents. The road mortality rate of mammals at 5 km, the entrance and exit of residential areas, was higher than in other areas. The incidence of road accidents during the cold seasons was slightly higher than during the warm seasons, and this disparity in the average road casualties between seasons may be attributed to the dearth of food resources, the type of diet, and the extent of its availability. The roadkill of wildlife can alter the demographic characteristics of the species, diminish genetic variety, and pose a threat to the survival and longevity of populations. Information regarding the type and quantity of road-killed animals can be utilized in cases such as obtaining information on species distribution and conducting short and long-term surveys of population trends. Also, identifying the environmental factors that influence the frequency and pattern of accidents, particularly those of endangered species, can aid in the implementation of appropriate strategies to mitigate road casualties.

Diversity, Seasonality, and Distribution Patterns of Mammalian Roadkill in Ilam Province, West of Iran Keywords:

Mammals , Wildlife , Road mortality , Species distribution , Decline