Report roadkill with an App

The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife and Transport Programme (EWT-WTP) requests the help of the public by recording roadkill data.

The EWT recently launched the Roadwatch South Africa application to make the public’s participation in their Roadkill Research and Mitigation Project easier. To take part, type this link into the Safari browser on your Android platform or cellular phone: https://www.prismsw.com/roadwatch/android/RoadWatchSouthAfrica.apk

The app will be available on the Apple platform soon.

The EWT urges anyone using roads during their travels to record roadkill sightings via the app. The EWT-WTP will use the data in its work to reduce the impact of transport infrastructure on wildlife.

Thousands of collisions occur annually between vehicles and wildlife, or domestic livestock. If animals are hit they can cause extensive damage to vehicles as well as serious or fatal injuries.

Wildlife most at risk are nocturnal species such as the civet and bat-eared foxes, as they are less visible to drivers; owls which hunt mice feeding on or next to the road; slow moving species such as tortoises and chameleons; snakes sunbathing on the roads; and animals that are blinded by headlights such as hares and most antelope.

In addition to the many thousands of animals killed on the roads every year, many road users are injured or killed as a result of collisions with wildlife. Almost R1.4-billion worth of damage to vehicles is reported from these incidents.

Data submitted by volunteers has already enabled the EWT to identify some areas of concern and initiate projects aimed at reducing the incidences of roadkill in those areas. Citizen science data enables the EWT to cover a much wider geographical range. It also allowed the group to work towards ensuring the environmental sustainability of the country’s transport infrastructure.

Dawn, dusk and early evening are the times motorists are most likely to encounter animals on the road. An alert driver can do much to prevent collisions with wildlife by following these simple guidelines:

•  Take special care near animal crossing warning signs, or signs warning of the absence of fences. The signs are there for a reason.
•  Minimise distractions from passengers, food, music, and accessories like cellular phones. If your full attention is on the road, you will be more likely to spot approaching animals with your peripheral vision.
•  Get into the habit of scanning the roadside as you drive and be especially watchful in areas near woods, tall grass and water.
•  If you see one animal, expect that there may be others nearby.
•  Nocturnal species are the most vulnerable to being hit on roads. Drive slower at night and if you see an animal in the road ahead, dim your lights and hoot. Car headlights can blind animals so that they do not always move away.
•  Drive within the speed limit to increase your own and the animal’s reaction times. Slow down if you know there is a possibility of wildlife coming onto the road.
•  Always wear safety belts.
•  Slowing down a little gives you and the animal more time to react. Be especially cautious at night.
•  If the animal is in your path, brake firmly but do not swerve to avoid it. Sound your horn in a series of short bursts to frighten it away. Provided you can slow down with control, steer around the animal but stay on the road if possible. Watch out for oncoming traffic.
•  If a collision seems inevitable, do not swerve to avoid the animal; your risk of injury may be greater if you do. Maintain control of the vehicle. Report all accidents to the police and your insurance company.
•  If you hit and injure a wild animal, call the nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre, SPCA or veterinarian. Be careful of handling potentially dangerous animals yourself.
•  Do not throw food scraps or other rubbish out of your car since it attracts wildlife to the roadside and increases the risk of roadkill.

If you do encounter a dead animal on the road, assist the EWT by recording the data. Citizen volunteers have already been active through several social media forums, such as the EWT’s Facebook page, the EWT’s roadkill research LinkedIn site and the EWT’s blog.

The WTP is supported by Bridgestone SA, the N3 Toll Concession and Arrow Bulk Logistics. For more information about the Wildlife and Transport Programme, or if you would like to become involved, contact Claire Patterson-Abrolat via email at clairep@ewt.org.za or Wendy Collinson at wendyc@ewt.org.za.