Road Ecology (ROAD KILL) with Ben Goldfarb | Ologies with Alie Ward

Intro

In this episode of “Ologies with Alie Ward,” environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb joins Alie to discuss road ecology and the impact of roads on wildlife and human interactions. Ben, who has a master’s in environmental management, is the author of the book “Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.” The episode covers various topics related to road ecology, including wildlife crossings, skunk stench, moose impacts, and more. The goal is to raise awareness about the impact of roads on wildlife and educate listeners on how to prevent roadkill incidents.

Main Takeaways

Road Ecology and Wildlife Safety

• Road ecology is the study of how roads impact wildlife and human interactions.
• The goal is to decrease collisions that impact wildlife and to educate listeners on how to avoid making more roadkill.
• Roadkill is a danger to both humans and wildlife, with 400 drivers killed in deer crashes every year in the US.
• Montana has the second-highest rate of wildlife vehicle collisions in the US, with one in 53 people getting into an accident with an animal.
• Deer are the ones getting hit the most, with between 1-2 million deer killed every year in the US.
• Ocelots and Florida Panthers, rare and endangered species, are also at risk due to road collisions.

Human Safety and Roadkill

• Animal impacts are a concern for human safety, with 1.8 million Americans filing insurance claims for collisions with non-human creatures in the last year.
• The killing off of wolves may have contributed to the explosion of deer populations in the US.
• The rise of suburbs created amazing deer habitat and higher deer populations than forests prior to European arrival.
• Cars created a landscape primed for deer and caused collisions between drivers and deer.
• Legal hunting of non-pretty animals, like deer, has been shown to reduce roadkill rates.
• Increased natural predation, like cougars and wolves, can dramatically reduce roadkill rates and save lives.

Wildlife Crossings and Innovative Solutions

• Building infrastructure that helps animals safely crossroads is gaining momentum.
• Other countries are doing innovative things to build infrastructure, such as elevating highways on giant pillars so animals can wander underneath unimpeded.
• Permanent solutions like wildlife crossings with fences are the most effective in reducing roadkill.
• Slowing down speed limits can also reduce animal road mortality.
• Designing roads to be sinuous and wavy can force drivers to go slowly for wildlife.
• Animal detection systems, using radar or laser trip wires, can give drivers a technological heads up to slow down when an animal is approaching the road.

Summary

Road Ecology and Wildlife Safety

Road ecology is the study of how roads impact wildlife and human interactions. The primary goal is to decrease collisions that impact wildlife and educate listeners on how to avoid making more roadkill. Deer are the most commonly hit animals, with between 1-2 million deer killed every year in the US. However, roadkill is not just a crisis for common animals but also for rare and endangered species like Ocelots and Florida Panthers. Montana has the second-highest rate of wildlife vehicle collisions in the US, highlighting the need for solutions to protect both humans and wildlife.

Human Safety and Roadkill

Animal impacts are a concern for human safety, with 1.8 million Americans filing insurance claims for collisions with non-human creatures in the last year. The killing off of wolves may have contributed to the explosion of deer populations in the US, leading to more collisions between drivers and deer. Legal hunting of non-pretty animals, like deer, has been shown to reduce roadkill rates. Additionally, increased natural predation, such as cougars and wolves, can dramatically reduce roadkill rates and save lives.

Wildlife Crossings and Innovative Solutions

Building infrastructure that helps animals safely crossroads is gaining momentum. Other countries are implementing innovative solutions, such as elevating highways on giant pillars to allow animals to wander underneath unimpeded. Permanent solutions like wildlife crossings with fences have proven to be the most effective in reducing roadkill. Slowing down speed limits and designing roads to be sinuous and wavy can also force drivers to go slowly for wildlife. Technological advancements, such as animal detection systems using radar or laser trip wires, provide drivers with a heads up to slow down when an animal is approaching the road.

Conclusion

Road ecology is an important field of study that focuses on understanding and mitigating the impact of roads on wildlife and human safety. By implementing innovative solutions like wildlife crossings and raising awareness about roadkill, we can work towards creating safer environments for both humans and animals. It is crucial to prioritize the preservation of biodiversity and find ways to coexist with wildlife in our increasingly interconnected world.