Next Article in Journal
Positive and Negative Ecology, a Conceptual Overview
Previous Article in Journal
Contribution of Citizen Science Data on the Evaluation of Local Biodiversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Ecologies
Volume 6
Issue 2
10.3390/ecologies6020032
ecologies-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Records of Roadkill Wild Mammals in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia

by
Stjepan Krčmar
1,* and
Marco Pezzi
2
1
Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia
2
Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Ecologies 2025, 6(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020032
Submission received: 26 September 2024 / Revised: 15 March 2025 / Accepted: 17 March 2025 / Published: 3 April 2025
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
From April 2016 to the end of July 2024, roadkill mammals were recorded using the road sampling method on the 33.4 km-long Zmajevac-Osijek road in Osijek-Baranja County, located in the northeastern part of Croatia. A total of 86 roadkill specimens of wild mammals, classified into eight species and one subspecies, were recorded. The northern white-breasted hedgehog, Erinaceus roumanicus, topped the list with 38 individuals, followed by the European badger, Meles meles, with 23 individuals, and the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, with 13 individuals. The European badger was the most frequent roadkill in February and March. The northern white-breasted hedgehog was the most common roadkill in June and July, while the red fox was most frequent roadkill in October. The average number of roadkill per km on the Zmajevac-Osijek road, divided into nine road sections, ranged from 1.1 to 5.9. Spearman’s correlation coefficient between the length of the section and the number of roadkill mammals showed a moderate correlation. The only strong positive correlation between roadkill wild mammals and traffic (average annual daily traffic or average summer daily traffic) was recorded for State Road D-212.

1. Introduction

Within increasing globalization, the demand for roads to facilitate the fastest and most cost-effective transport of goods has grown. Consequently, collisions between wild animals and vehicles are common, resulting in significant and often serious damage to both wildlife and humans globally [1]. Approximately 80% of the land surface of Earth remains without roads [2] but this area is fragmented into 600,000 zones, more than half of which are smaller than one square km [2]. Only 7% of these zones exceed 100 square km in size [2]. Roads significantly affect habitat fragmentation and are recognized as a major factor contributing to the decline of global animal diversity [3,4,5]. Unfenced roads in particular can significantly contribute to the mortality of wild mammals due to vehicle collisions [6,7,8]. Humans are directly responsible for over one-quarter of the global mortality of terrestrial vertebrates [9]. In Europe alone, more than 500,000 vehicle collisions with wild animals are recorded annually [10]. Globally, it is estimated that over 400 million animals are killed on roads each year; however, these figures are likely underestimated due to the absence of data from many countries [11]. This is not surprising, as scientific roadkill reporting systems are only implemented in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom [12]. Despite various targeted actions to avoid or reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions—such as green bridges, under-road tunnels, and protective fences—the number of such collisions worldwide has increased significantly [13]. Similarly, in Croatia, numerous wild animal species are frequently killed on roads by vehicles due to increased socio-economic activities, road transport of goods, and heightened passenger traffic, particularly during summer months [13]. In Croatia, a total of 2333 vehicle collisions with wild animals were recorded in 2014, and this number increased to 3789 in 2017, with 304 of these occurring in Osijek-Baranja County [14]. Additionally, from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2021, Croatia recorded 4048 vehicle collisions with wild animals, with the number rising continuously. By the 2021–2022 period, 5420 vehicle collisions with wild animals were recorded [15]. The increase in collisions between wild animals and vehicles is attributable not only to factors such as speeding and unfenced roads but also to the growing number of cars on the road. In Croatia, the number of registered vehicles rose from 2,261,274 in 2020 to 2,331,034 in 2021 and reached 2,494,208 in 2023 [16,17,18]. In the first eight months of 2023, 42,485 new passenger vehicles were sold in Croatia, representing a 31.7% increase compared to the same period in 2022 [19]. In terms of the number of collisions with wild animals, the Osijek-Baranja County has ranked fourth out of 21 counties in Croatia in 2014 and 2017 [14] and sixth in 2022–2023 [15]. However, accurate records in Croatia mainly focus on large game, and are often aimed at documenting vehicle damage for insurance compensation purposes [15]. Based on these data, the main purpose of this study is recording roadkill wild mammals as unintentional traffic casualties on the Zmajevac-Osijek road in the Croatian part of Baranja, covering the period from 2016 to 2024.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Geographical Description

The Croatian part of Baranja is a distinct geographical region within the eastern Croatian plain. Triangular in shape, it covers an area of 1147 km2 between the Drava and Danube rivers and the land border with Hungary [20]. Administratively, it is part of Osijek-Baranja County, comprising 27.6% of the county total area. The Croatian part of Baranja has a population of 41,700, with an average density of 36 inhabitants per square km [21]. The Baranja region is well connected to the rest of Croatia through various types of roads. The Corridor Vc highway runs from Budapest (Hungary) through Beli Manastir to Osijek and continues to Ploče in the Mediterranean part of Croatia. Additionally, State Road D-7 crosses the central part of Baranja from the village of Duboševica to the city of Osijek. State Road D-517 connects Beli Manastir, crosses the Drava River, and extends to Belišće. State Road D-212 runs from the settlement of Batina to Karanac, where it intersects with State Road D-7. In addition to the major roads, Baranja has county roads with a total length of 147 km and local roads extending 63.6 km [22]. The region is predominantly lowland, with an absolute elevation not exceeding 243 m [20]. The Baranja plain is characterized by homogeneity of climatic conditions without significant microclimate variations [20]. An exception is the Bansko Hill area, where the variety of reliefs favors microclimatic differences. The floodplains along the Danube, Drava, and Karašica rivers cover 63% of the area of Baranja and are characterized by high humidity, mostly in the southeastern part, where the Kopački rit Nature Park is located [20,21]. Overall, Baranja experiences a moderate-continental climate, with an average annual temperature ranging from 10 to 11 °C [23] and relatively large annual temperature variations and uneven rainfall distribution. The region receives an average of 600 to 700 mm of precipitation per year [23], making it one of the driest areas in Croatia [20]. The natural vegetation, which previously included oak forests on river terraces and loess plains, as well as steppes on Bansko Hill, has largely disappeared [20]. Currently, only the wettest parts of the floodplain are covered by forest of willow, Salix spp. (Malpighiales: Salicaceae), while the higher areas are dominated by white and black poplars, Populus alba L., Populus nigra L. (Malpighiales: Salicaceae), and common oak, Quercus robur L. (Fagales: Fagaceae) [20]. Baranja is a region characterized by intensive agricultural production, which significantly affects the diversity of flora and fauna. The total length of the studied road is 33.4 km and includes the section of State Road D-212 from Zmajevac to Kneževi Vinogradi (8.0 km long), part of County Road 4042 from Kneževi Vinogradi to Bilje (18.1 km long), and part of County Road 4257 from Bilje to Osijek, 7.3 km long [24] (Figure 1).
The distances between the studied nine road sections in km are as follows: Zmajevac-Suza, 2.8; Suza-Kneževi Vinogradi, 5.2; Kn. Vinogradi-Mitrovac, 6.0; Mitrovac-Grabovac, 1.2; Grabovac-Lug, 5.0; Lug-Vardarac, 3.2; Vardarac-Bilje, 2.7; Bilje-Biljska Road, 2.8; and Biljska Road-Osijek, 4.5. Outside the settlements, the studied road primarily crosses agricultural areas with various crops. On the section of State Road D-212 between Zmajevac and Kneževi Vinogradi, vineyards and agricultural fields dominate the landscape, with only small fragments of secondary forest remaining. Along County Road 4042, near the villages of Grabovac, Lug, and Vardarac, there is a 1 km-long forest of acacia, Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), which is 50 to 100 m wide. The only significant forest standing along this road was a belt of white willows, Salix alba L. (Malpighiales: Salicaceae), extending from Bilje to Osijek, which was originally 1 to 2 km wide. This willow forest was cleared during 2022 and 2023 and replaced with a newly planted white willow grove surrounded by a wire fence. On the opposite side of County Road 4257 to this grove, there are agricultural areas. The traffic density of the studied road section is shown in Table 1.

2.2. Samplings, Identification and Analysis

From April 2016 to the end of July 2024, wild mammal mortality was recorded on the Zmajevac-Osijek road while traveling by car, crossing nine road sections that pass through eight settlements. Roadkill animals were recorded on 5 out of 62 travel days in 2016, 4 out of 86 travel days in 2017, 6 out of 90 travel days in 2018, 5 out of 81 travel days in 2019, 3 out of 41 travel days in 2021, 4 out of 62 travel days in 2022, 20 out of 105 travel days in 2023, and 16 out of 78 travel days in 2024. Roadkill animals were recorded once a day between 6:30 and 8:00 am. On these roads, the speed limit is 50 km/h within settlements and 90 km/h outside settlements. The vehicle was driven in accordance with the stated limits. All roadkill animals were examined for the presence of ticks. The identification of recorded wild mammals for this study was conducted using the manuals by Garms et al. [27] and Antolović et al. [28]. Differences in the number and species of roadkill wild mammals recorded on state and county roads along the travel route were analyzed using Chi-square tests with a significance level of p < 0.05 [29]. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used in the analysis of the correlation between roadkill wild mammals and the average annual daily traffic (AADT) and average summer daily traffic (ASDT) with a significance level of α = 0.05 [29]. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was also used in the analysis of the relationship between the length of the road section and the number of roadkill mammals. The similarity of the roadkill mammal fauna in the studied road sections with respect to the type of roadside vegetation was measured using the Sørenson index [30].

3. Results

From April 2016 to the end of July 2024, 86 roadkill individuals of wild mammals, classified into eight species and one subspecies, were recorded on the 33.4 km-long Zmajevac-Osijek road using the road sampling method (Table 2). The most numerous individuals belonged to the northern white-breasted hedgehog, Erinaceus roumanicus Barrett-Hamilton, 1900 (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae), with 38 individuals recorded in nine road sections crossing seven settlements (Table 1), followed by the European badger, Meles meles (L., 1758) (Carnivora: Mustelidae), with 23 individuals from seven road sections crossing seven settlements, the red fox, Vulpes vulpes L., 1758 (Carnivora: Canidae), with 13 individuals from five road sections crossing five settlements, and the stone marten, Martes foina Erxleben, 1777 (Carnivora: Mustelidae), with four individuals from four road sections crossing three settlements. The pine marten, Martes martes L., 1758 (Carnivora: Mustelidae), was recorded with three individuals in two road sections, and the European wildcat, Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777 (Carnivora: Felidae), was recorded with two individuals in two road sections crossing two settlements. Additionally, the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris L., 1758 (Rodentia: Sciuridae), the wild boar, Sus scrofa L., 1758 (Artiodactyla: Suidae), and the red deer, Cervus elaphus L., 1758 (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), were each recorded with one individual in one road section crossing one settlement (Table 2). All road sections and all settlements along the Zmajevac-Osijek road had at least one wild mammal species recorded as roadkill (Table 2). The average number of roadkill wild mammals per km on the studied road was 2.6. However, the average number of roadkill mammals per km on the nine road sections ranged from 1.1 to 5.9 (Biljska Road and Suza, 1.1; Zmajevac, 2.1; Kneževi Vinogradi and Mitrovac, 2.5; Vardarac, 2.6; Grabovac and Bilje, 3.2; Lug, 5.9). Spearman’s correlation coefficient between the length of the section and the number of roadkill mammals showed moderate correlation between these variables (r = 0.391; p = 0.298), but the correlation itself is not statistically significant and is therefore more likely to be due to chance.
The highest number of individuals of roadkill wild mammals was observed on the sixth road section, which crosses the Lug settlement, with 19 individuals classified into four species (Table 2). This was followed by the fifth road section, which crosses the Grabovac settlement, with 16 roadkill individuals classified into four species and one subspecies. In the third road section, which crosses the Kneževi Vinogradi settlement, 15 individuals of roadkill wild mammals classified into four species were recorded (Table 2). On the remaining six road sections crossing five settlements, 36 roadkill wild mammals were recorded, classified into eight species (Table 2). During 2024, the highest number of roadkill wild mammals was recorded on the Zmajevac-Osijek road, totaling 29 individuals, which represented 33.72% of the overall number of roadkill wild mammals (Table 3), classified into four species. The fewest roadkill wild mammals, with only three specimens (3.48% of the total), (Table 3) were recorded in 2020 and 2021, likely due to the significant reduction in traffic intensity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mortality rate of roadkill mammals per kilometer ranged from 0.08 to 0.86, while the daily mortality rate ranged from 1 to 1.81 (Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6). The northern white-breasted hedgehog had the highest mortality rate, ranging from 0.41 to 0.50 in 2023 and 2024 (Table 4). In the same period, the European badger had the second-highest mortality rate, ranging from 0.17 to 0.20 (Table 4). The red fox experienced a mortality rate between 0.02 and 0.08, while for other species, the mortality rate was below 0.08 (Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6). The highest number of roadkill wild mammals, totaling 59 and classified into nine taxa, was observed on the County Road 4042 segment from Kneževi Vinogradi to Bilje, and Biljska Road (4257). On State Road D-212, from first to third road sections, 27 roadkill wild mammals were recorded (Table 3), classified into four species. The majority of roadkill wild animals, 50 (58.13%), were recorded in June, July, and August. On the contrary, only 6 (6.97%) roadkill wild mammals were recorded during the winter months in February. Among the roadkill wild mammals, three species (the European badger, the northern white-breasted hedgehog, and the red fox) were the most frequently recorded, accounting for 86.04% of the total. The European badger had the highest number of incidents in February and March, accounting for 52.17% of the total European badger cases. The northern white-breasted hedgehog was most frequently recorded roadkill in June and July, with 78.94% of its total roadkill cases occurring in these months. Roadkill of the red fox was mostly recorded in October, amounting to 30.76% of the total of red fox roadkill cases. Chi-square analysis showed a significant difference in the number of roadkill individuals between the county and state roads (χ2 = 11.9, p < 0.05). However, the number of different species recorded did not significantly differ between these two types of roads (χ2 = 1.92, p > 0.05). From 2016 to 2024, Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a moderate positive correlation between the average summer daily traffic and the number of roadkill animals on the State Road D-212 (r = 0.621, p = 0.074), but this correlation is not statistically significant. However, a strong positive correlation between roadkill mammals and average summer daily traffic (r = 0.975, p = 0.005) was recorded for the State Road D-212 from 2020 to 2024. Similarly, positive correlation was recorded between roadkill mammals and average annual daily traffic (r = 0.949; p = 0.051) on the same state road from 2020 to 2023. On County Road 4042, the correlation between average annual daily traffic and the number of roadkill animals from 2016 to 2023 was moderately positive (r = 0.638; p = 0.089) but not statistically significant; the correlation between average summer daily traffic and the number of roadkill animals was similarly insignificant (r = 0.135; p = 0.750). A comparison of the similarity of the roadkill mammal fauna to the type of roadside vegetation, measured by the Sørenson index, showed the highest similarity (75%) between the road section with surrounding vineyards/agricultural fields (Zmajevac-Suza) and agricultural fields (Kneževi Vinogradi-Mitrovac). Next was the section of the road with surrounding agricultural fields (Kneževi Vinogradi-Mitrovac) and fragmentary remnants of acacia or willow forest (Grabovac, Lug, Vardarac, Biljska Road), with 66.66% similarity. The road sections surrounded by vineyards/agricultural fields (Zmajevac-Suza) and fragmentary remains of acacia or willow forest (Grabovac, Lug, Vardarac, Biljska Road) had 60% similarity.
In this study, the nine taxa (eight species and one subspecies) of roadkill wild mammals belong to four orders within the class Mammalia. The most represented order is Carnivora, with three families and five taxa, followed by Artiodactyla, with two families and two species. Insectivora and Rodentia each have one family and one species represented.

4. Discussion

The investigated road (Zmajevac-Osijek), which is 33.4 km long, represents only 1.96% of the total road network in Osijek-Baranja County, which spans approximately 1700 km [15]. The mammal fauna in Baranja exhibits a remarkable biodiversity, with most species recorded in protected areas like nature parks or in forested habitats along the Danube and Drava rivers. For instance, 54 mammal species have been documented in Kopački rit Nature Park [31]. This diversity of mammal fauna is one of the reasons as to why Osijek-Baranja County is a suitable case study. Additionally, the absence of data on roadkill in both Osijek-Baranja County and the broader eastern Croatia region further underscores its relevance for investigation. On the contrary, habitats such as agricultural lands, vineyards, orchards, fragmented forest remnants along roads, and human settlements show a much lower diversity of mammal species. This is in agreement with the data from this study, which recorded nine taxa (species and subspecies) of roadkill wild mammals, accounting for 16.66% of mammal fauna of Kopački rit Nature Park.
Data on wild roadkill along roads in Osijek–Baranja County and much of eastern Croatia have not been available so far. Accurate records of roadkill in Croatia have been available only for large carnivores such as the brown bear, Ursus arctos L., 1758 (Carnivora: Ursidae), the grey wolf, Canis lupus L. 1758 (Carnivora: Canidae), and the Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx (L., 1758) (Carnivora: Felidae) [3,6,7,8]. More recent data include the roe deer, Capreolus capreolus L., 1758 (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), and S. scrofa in the Dinaric area [32]. There were no accurate records of other roadkill mammals in Croatia until 2017 [15]. Accurate records in Croatia mainly focus on large game and often aim to document vehicle damage for compensation purposes. The Road Traffic Safety Bulletin of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia only recorded incidents of vehicle collisions with animals without specifying whether they were wild or domestic [15]. Since 2017, due to no institution in Croatia keeping records of collisions with wild game, the Croatian Hunting Association has begun collecting data in this field [15]. Despite this effort, county-specific records of vehicle collisions with wild game remain sparse, with detailed species records only starting from 1 June 2022 [15]. These detailed records from 2022 exist because the Croatian Hunting Association took over the payment of compensation for damage to vehicles in the event of a collision with wild game [15]. In Osijek-Baranja County, from 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023, there were 302 recorded vehicle collisions with wild game [15]. The roe deer was the most frequently involved, followed by the wild boar and the red deer, which together amounted to 78.80% of all wild game roadkill [15]. However, according to our data, on the Zmajevac-Osijek road during the same period, only 2.32% of the roadkill animals were large game. In addition, on the same road (Zmajevac–Osijek) and during the same period (1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023), six European badgers and one red fox were killed on the road. The Croatian Hunting Association data for Osijek-Baranja County during this period shows roadkill of nine European badgers and nine red foxes [15]. Thus, the Zmajevac-Osijek road accounted for 66.66% of all European badgers and 11.11% of all red foxes roadkill in the county, despite the road representing only 1.96% of the total road network. This high proportion of European badgers relative to the small percentage of road sections belonging to the Zmajevac-Osijek road suggests deficiencies in the records maintained by the Croatian Hunting Association. Notably, while roe deer are the most frequently involved large wild game animals in vehicle collisions in Croatia [13,33], no collisions with roe deer were recorded on the Zmajevac-Osijek road between 2016 and 2024. This is most likely because fragmented forest remnants between settlements along the road are quite narrow, and behind them are agricultural areas and much larger scattered forest areas that are ideal habitats for larger ungulates. Therefore, closer proximity to human settlements and roads is not needed. However, it is known that roe deer more often use field habitats than forest habitats, and this species even forms two ecotypes: forest roe der and field roe der [34]. Roe deer is the most numerous species of large game in Croatia [35]. However, in the area of Slavonia and Baranja, the roe deer population has been considerably reduced due to the invasion of the large American liver fluke, Fascioloides magna Bassi, 1875 (Plagiorchiida: Fasciolidae [35]. Sometimes, discrepancies arise between the data reported by the Ministry of the Interior Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Hunting Association regarding the number of recorded roadkill animals. For example, the Ministry of the Interior recorded 684 vehicle collisions with animals in 2020 and 717 in 2021 [16,17]. On the contrary, the Croatian Hunting Association recorded 4048 roadkill animals on Croatian roads for the same period [15]. Collisions involving small and medium-sized wild animals (European badger, red fox, stone marten, pine marten, European wildcat) typically result in minimal material damage to vehicles, which may lead to these incidents being recorded sporadically. This discrepancy could be a primary reason for the variation in annual roadkill animal counts reported. Given that the Croatian Hunting Association and its affiliated hunting societies are responsible for removing carcasses from the road, it therefore contains more complete data on roadkill animals. Comparing data from the Zmajevac-Osijek road with similar data from other Croatian counties is challenging, as reports usually focus on large game, with other animals mentioned less frequently. Comprehensive data on roadkill wild animals on the section of State Road D1 from Klinča Sela to Karlovac were reported in 2016, offering a basis for comparison [36]. According to these data, on this 25 km section, the northern white-breasted hedgehog ranked first with 60 roadkill specimens (45.80% of the total), while the red fox was third with 13 specimens (9.92%) [36]. These figures closely align with those recorded in our study on the Zmajevac-Osijek road, where the northern white-breasted hedgehog is also the most frequently recorded roadkill species (45.24%), and the red fox ranks third (14.28%). Similarly, the northern white-breasted hedgehog is the most frequently recorded roadkill species on roads in Hungary [37]. For the European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus L. 1758 (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae), which is widespread in northern and western Europe, there is significantly more literature available compared to E. roumanicus. The European hedgehog inhabits similar environments and exhibits comparable behaviors. It is increasingly associated with gardens and villages, where it is attracted to higher food densities, including both natural prey and anthropogenic sources, as well as a greater variety of day nest sites and warmer microclimates in rural areas [38,39]. It ranks highest for road mortality in Vienna, Austria [4] and second in southern Ireland [38] and in the Campania region of southern Italy [40]. In the Netherlands, road traffic is estimated to reduce the density of E. europaeus by about 30%, affecting local population survival [41]. Similarly, in southern Sweden, traffic accidents are a major cause of death for E. europaeus [42]. This species is among the most frequent road casualties wherever its populations intersect road networks [43]. Hedgehogs are generally common victims of traffic collisions in Europe, and several hedgehog species have exhibited marked population declines across their range [44]. Recent studies have reported an average of 0.001–3.65 hedgehog casualties/km/year across various European countries for all species [44]. The mortality rate of hedgehogs on roads often depends on the type of road. For instance, higher casualty rates have been observed for E. roumanicus in Bulgaria and E. concolor in Turkey on quieter regional roads compared to highways [44]. This may be due to there being fewer physical barriers on regional roads and/or their placement in areas with higher hedgehog densities [44]. Data on E. roumanicus roadkill are scarce; however, it is the only animal recorded on eight road sections during this study. The reason for that is their habitat, which is predominantly close to human settlements, gardens, and forest edges [26]. In Croatia, information on road mortality for E. roumanicus is limited, partly because collisions with these small mammals rarely cause significant vehicle damage or pose a threat to drivers. Across Europe, road collisions with large game (wild boar, roe deer, and red deer) are more commonly recorded due to their potential for severe vehicle damage and associated risks to human life [45]. Although Croatia has a lower incidence of ungulate road collisions compared to other European countries [46], the number of roadkill wild mammals per km on the Zmajevac-Osijek road was 0.77 in 2023 and 0.86 in 2024, while per day it was between 1 and 1.81 (Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6). Despite being the most frequently recorded roadkill species on this road, E. roumanicus was not recorded during the species hibernation period in the late autumn and winter months (November through March). During the last two years (2023, 2024), a very high mortality rate ranging from 0.41 to 0.50 was recorded for the E. roumanicus in comparison with other years (Table 4). Similarly, roadkill cases of the European badger, M. meles, were not observed in November, December, and January, because the species also hibernates during this period. The mortality data for European badgers in this study show a unimodal peak in spring, which contrasts with the bimodal peak observed in southern England during spring and late summer [47]. A unimodal peak in the yearly traffic collision dynamics of the European badger has been observed in Hungary and Slovenia [48,49]. The European badger is primarily active at dusk and during the night. While it can mate year round, the peak mating period occurs in spring (between February and May). During this time, badgers exhibit altered movement behavior, which may contribute to higher mortality rates during this period [49]. Furthermore, the availability of food resources can influence the daily movement distance of European badgers. Mean daily movement ranges from 1.2 km to 7.0 km [50]. In areas with low food abundance or widely dispersed foraging patches, badgers tend to cover larger daily ranges and defend more extensive territories [50]. The search for food may also contribute to more frequent road crossings and, consequently, higher road mortality rates. Since badgers typically inhabit smaller forests near grasslands and agricultural fields, which are similar to the habitats surrounding the study road in Osijek-Baranja County, the increased activity in spring—driven by mating or foraging needs—may explain the higher number of roadkill European badgers during this period. In this study, European badgers rank second in mortality, which is consistent with findings from the Po-Veneto plain in Italy [51] but at odds with earlier studies where the percentage of roadkill European badgers in Croatia was below 3% [13,14,36]. In Britain, road traffic is the leading cause of European badger deaths, indicating that road traffic significantly affects badger populations through habitat fragmentation at the local level [52]. The red fox, V. vulpes, ranks third among roadkill species on the Zmajevac-Osijek road in Osijek-Baranja County. It is the most frequently recorded medium-sized roadkill mammal in the Campania region of southern Italy and in northern Poland [40,53]. In southwestern Germany it ranked second [54], while in Van Lake Basin in Turkey, it ranked third [55]. In our study on the area of Osijek-Baranja County, the majority of roadkill red foxes were recorded in October, showing a unimodal seasonal mortality pattern. This autumnal peak in roadkill aligns with data on red foxes along the M3 highway in Hungary [48]. However, these findings contrast with data from the UK, where no significant seasonality was observed [56], and with data from Slovenia, where red fox roadkill shows a bimodal pattern throughout the year [49]. The increased road mortality of red foxes in October is likely due to the dispersal of sub-adults seeking new territories [49]. Collisions involving small to medium-sized vertebrates and carnivores are often linked to roadside vegetation [57], which may explain the high number of roadkill mammals recorded on the sixth section of the road through the Lug settlement in this study. Natural roadside habitats can act as alternative foraging areas for carnivore species, increasing their risk of roadkill [58]. In many parts of the world, traffic volume was substantially reduced during the COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to a lower number of roadkill incidents [59]. However, animals were found to be closer to roads on average in human-modified areas, indicating reduced avoidance behavior [60]. During this study and the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, roadkill rates dropped considerably to 3.48% (Table 3), in line with the fall in average annual daily traffic [26]. Similar reduced mortality was observed for European badgers and red foxes in the UK in the same period [61]. During the spring lockdown in Slovenia, fewer collisions involving badgers and roe deer were observed [62]. Similarly, in Austria, a reduction in roadkill was recorded, corresponding to the drop in road traffic during the lockdown [63]. In the Kraków metropolitan region of Poland, animal-vehicle collision rates decreased in suburban areas during the COVID-19 lockdown, while in urban areas, despite a significant reduction in traffic volume, animal-vehicle collisions did not decrease significantly [64]. In contrast, a significant increase in accidents involving animals was observed in urban areas of Lithuania during the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 [65]. Similar studies examining the impact of reduced traffic on animal roadkill in Croatia are lacking. The data from Poland and Lithuania contradict the majority of studies on roadkill during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, findings from other countries demonstrate that even a few weeks of reduced traffic highlight the negative impacts of roads on wildlife mortality and underscore the need for global wildlife conservation efforts, including the systematic collection of roadkill data [66]. Roadkill remains one of the most direct negative impacts of road traffic on vertebrate species [67]. The majority of roadkill wild animals in this study were recorded in summer months, in agreement with the number of roadkill animals in the urban area of Lublin in Poland [68]. A comparison of the similarity of the roadkill mammal fauna from three types of roadside vegetation showed small differences among them. Comparing presence/absence data with the Sørenson index showed the highest similarity (75%) between the road section with surrounding vineyards/agricultural fields (Zmajevac-Suza) and agricultural fields (Kneževi Vinogradi-Mitrovac). Values among other roadside vegetation are also very high. Additionally, a significant difference in the number of roadkill mammals is observed, with the state roads amassing 27 road kills and county roads 59. The reason for this difference is due to the length of observed road sections, with the state road being only 8 km long. Despite the large number of road kills on County Road 4042, no statistically significant correlation was found for the increase in average annual or summer daily traffic. The only statistically significant correlation between the number of roadkill animals and average annual or average summer daily traffic was recorded on the State Road D-212.

5. Conclusions

In most European countries, data on roadkill for large mammals or huntable wildlife are available, but information on other vertebrate species, particularly small or medium-sized mammals, is scarce [10,12,67,69,70,71], as is the case in Croatia. Interestingly, the body size of mammal species, as well as their status—whether generalist, common and widespread, or rare, threatened, and of high conservation concern—does not appear to influence their likelihood of being killed along roads [71,72]. Along 33.4 km of the Zmajevac-Osijek road in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia, nine mammal taxa (species and subspecies) from seven families and four orders were recorded as roadkill, all of which are listed as least concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List [73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81]. Common species and those of least concern are impacted by roads in many parts of Europe, which are also inhabited by numerous vulnerable bird and mammal species [82]. Unfortunately, the global road network is expanding rapidly, particularly in non-urban or rural areas, with dramatic negative effects on ecosystems and their services [83]. However, the consequences of roadkill on the viability of wildlife populations remain largely unknown [84]. Three species—the northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus), the European badger (Meles meles), and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)—account for 86.04% of roadkill mammal fauna, while other species and subspecies are recorded in much lower numbers. Roadkill peaked in summer (58.13%) and dropped significantly during COVID-19 lockdowns (3.48%). Chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in roadkill numbers between county and state roads (χ2 = 11.9, p < 0.05). The only statistically significant correlation between roadkill numbers and traffic volume was recorded on the State Road D-212. The similarity of the roadkill mammal fauna in the studied road sections with respect to the type of roadside vegetation, as measured by the Sørenson index, ranged from 60% to 75%. The mortality rate of roadkill mammals per kilometer ranged from 0.08 to 0.86, while the daily mortality rate ranged from 1 to 1.81. To mitigate collisions, future efforts should prioritize wildlife crossings, improved signage, and seasonal awareness campaigns, all supported by research on animal movement patterns to enable targeted conservation strategies.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.K. and M.P.; methodology, S.K.; validation, S.K. and M.P.; formal analysis, S.K. and M.P.; investigation, S.K.; resources, S.K.; data curation, S.K. and M.P.; writing—original draft preparation, S.K and M.P.; writing—review and editing, S.K. and M.P.; visualization, S.K. and M.P.; supervision, S.K and M.P.; project administration, S.K.; funding acquisition, S.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded within the Institutional project of the Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Univesity of Osijek, grant number: 31053: Diversity of hard tick fauna (Acari: Ixodidae) of Bansko Hill, OZB-ZP-Ixodidae (to S.K.).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The animal study protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee of the Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Approval Code: 011-01/22-02/04; Approval Date: 29 September 2022).

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Tea Krčmar for the linguistic correction of this article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declares no conflicts of interest.

References

  1. Pagany, R. Wildlife-vehicle collisions-Influencing factors, data collection and research. Biol. Conserv. 2020, 251, 108758. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. Ibisch, P.L.; Hoffmann, M.T.; Kreft, S.; Peer, G.; Kati, V.; Biber-Freudenberger, L.; DellaSalla, D.A.; Vale, M.M.; Hobson, P.R.; Selva, N. A global map of roadless areas and their conservation status. Science 2016, 354, 1423–1427. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Kusak, J.; Huber, D.; Gomerčić, T.; Schwaderer, G.; Gužvica, G. The permeability of highway in Gorski kotar (Croatia) for large mammals. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 2009, 55, 7–21. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Heigl, F.; Lutter, S.; Hoppe, I.; Zaller, J.G.; Dörler, D. Urban roadkill assessment in Vienna reveals low incidence rates. Web Ecol. 2024, 24, 41–46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Hasee, A.C.; Borda-de-Água, L.; Grilo, C.; Pereira, H.M. Global exposure of carnivores to roads. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 2017, 26, 592–600. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Kusak, J.; Huber, D.; Frković, A. The effects of traffic on large carnivore populations in Croatia. Biosph. Conserv. 2000, 3, 35–39. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Huber, D.; Kusak, J.; Frković, A. Traffic kills of brown bears in Gorski kotar, Croatia. Ursus 1998, 10, 167–171. [Google Scholar]
  8. Huber, D.; Kusak, J.; Gužvica, G.; Gomerčić, T.; Frković, A. Causes of wolf mortality in Croatia in the period 1986–2001. Vet. Arhiv 2002, 72, 131–139. [Google Scholar]
  9. Hill, J.E.; De Vault, T.L.; Belant, J.L. Cause-specific mortality of the world’s terrestrial vertebrates. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr. 2019, 28, 680–689. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Groot Bruinderink, G.W.T.A.; Hazebroek, E. Ungulate traffic collisions in Europe. Conserv. Biol. 1996, 10, 1059–1067. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Schwartz, A.L.W.; Shilling, F.M.; Perkins, S.E. The value of monitoring wildlife road kill. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 2020, 66, 18. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Bíl, M.; Heigl, F.; Janoška, Z.; Vercayie, D.; Perkins, S.E. Benefits and challenges of collaborating with volunters: Examples from National Wildlife Roadkill Reporting Systems in Europe. J. Nat. Conserv. 2020, 54, 125798. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Šprem, N.; Duduković, D.; Keros, T.; Konjević, D. Wildlife-vehicle collisions in Croatia-a hazard for humans and animals. Coll. Antropol. 2013, 37, 531–535. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  14. Grđan Buhin, J. Analysis of Traffic Killings of Game Animals in Republic of Croatia. Master’s Thesis, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia, 2019. [Google Scholar]
  15. Kustura, M. Analysis of Traffic Accidents Involving Wild Game in Territory of the Republic of Croatia. Bachelor’s Thesis, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Karlovac, Croatia, 2023. [Google Scholar]
  16. Anonymous. Road Traffic Safety Bulletin 2020; Republic of Croatia Ministry of the Interior: Zagreb, Croatia, 2021. Available online: https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/bilteni/Bilten_o_sigurnosti_cestovnog_prometa_2020.pdf (accessed on 26 July 2024).
  17. Anonymous. Road Traffic Safety Bulletin 2021; Republic of Croatia Ministry of the Interior: Zagreb, Croatia, 2022. Available online: https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/statistika/2022/Bilten_o_sigurnosti_cestovnog_prometa_2021.pdf (accessed on 26 July 2024).
  18. Anonymous. Road Traffic Safety Bulletin 2023; Republic of Croatia Ministry of the Interior: Zagreb, Croatia, 2024. Available online: https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/statistika/2024/6/Bilten_o_sigurnosti_cestovnog_prometa_2023.pdf (accessed on 26 July 2024).
  19. Anonymous. Teletext, Croatian Radiotelevision, Zagreb, Croatia. 2023. Available online: https://hrt.hr (accessed on 4 September 2023).
  20. Bognar, A.; Crkvenčić, I.; Pepeonik, Z.; Riđanović, J.; Roglić, J.; Sić, M.; Šegota, T.; Vresk, M. Geography of SR Croatia. Eastern Croatia, 1st ed.; Školska knjiga: Zagreb, Croatia, 1975; pp. 127–131. [Google Scholar]
  21. Njegač, D. Eastern Croatia. In The Big Atlas of Croatia, 1st ed.; Borovac, I., Ed.; Mozaik knjiga: Zagreb, Croatia, 2002; pp. 255–271. [Google Scholar]
  22. Anonymous. Information About the Traffic Connections of Osijek-Baranja County. Osijek-Baranja County, Osijek, Croatia. 2016. Available online: https://obz.hr/pdf/2016/26_sjednica/06_informacija_o_prometnoj_povezanosti_obz.pdf (accessed on 22 July 2024).
  23. Purger, D.; Csiky, J. Plants of Bansko Hill (Baranja, Croatia), 1st ed.; University of Pécs: Pécs, Hungary, 2008; pp. 3–5. [Google Scholar]
  24. Anonymous. Decision on Classification of Public Roads. National Newspaper NN 86/2024. Republic of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia. Available online: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni//2024_07_86_1514.html (accessed on 31 July 2024).
  25. Google Maps. Available online: https://maps.google.com (accessed on 11 September 2024).
  26. Anonymous. Croatian Roads. Available online: https://hrvatske-ceste.hr (accessed on 25 January 2025).
  27. Garms, H.; Borm, L. Fauna Europas, Bestimmungslexikon, 1st ed.; Georg Westermann Verlag, Druckerei und Kartographischer Anstalt GmbH & Co., Ltd.: Braunschweig, Germany, 1977; pp. 4–76. [Google Scholar]
  28. Antolović, J.; Flajšman, E.; Frković, A.; Grgurev, M.; Grubešić, M.; Hamidović, D.; Holcer, D.; Pavlinić, I.; Vuković, M.; Tvrtković, N. Red Book of Mammals of Croatia, 1st ed.; Ministry of Culture State Institute for Nature Protection Republic of Croatia: Zagreb, Croatia, 2006; pp. 74–100. [Google Scholar]
  29. Šošić, I. Applied Statistics, 2nd ed.; Školska knjiga Zagreb: Zagreb, Croatia, 2006; pp. 1–781. [Google Scholar]
  30. Durbešić, P. Acquaintance and Research of Terrestrial Arthropods; Book 4; Croatian Ecological Society: Zagreb, Croatia, 1988; pp. 1–71. [Google Scholar]
  31. Mihaljević, M.; Getz, D.; Tadić, Z.; Živanović, B.; Gucunski, D.; Topić, J.; Kalinović, I.; Mikuska, J. Kopački Ritresearch Survey and Bibliography, 1st ed.; Croatian Academy of Science and Arts: Zagreb, Croatia, 1999; pp. 97–123. [Google Scholar]
  32. Vrkljan, J.; Hozjan, D.; Barić, D.; Ugarković, D.; Krapinec, K. Temporal patterns of vehicle collisions with roe deer and wild boar in the Dinaric area. Croat. J. Eng. 2020, 41, 347–358. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Pintur, K.; Slijepčević, V.; Popović, N.; Andrijašević, D. Dynamics of wildlife vehicle collisions on roads of Karlovac county, Croatia. J. Cent. Eur. Agric. 2012, 13, 340–349. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Balčiauskas, L.; Kučas, A.; Balčiauskiene, L. The impact of roadkill on Cervid populations in Lithuania. Forests 2023, 14, 1224. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Ladika, A. Distribution and Population Dynamic of Game in Period of 1955 to 2019 in Croatia. Master’s Thesis, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, 2021. [Google Scholar]
  36. Glavaš, M. Animal Suffering in Traffic on State Highways D1 in the Area of Sections 8 and 9. Bachelor’s Thesis, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Karlovac, Croatia, 2016. [Google Scholar]
  37. Borza, S.; Godó, L.; Csathó, A.I.; Valkó, O.; Deák, B. Negative effects of traffic on vertebrate species—A literature review from Hungary. Természetvédelmi Közl. 2021, 27, 1–17. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Haigh, A. Annual patterns of mammalian mortality on Irish roads. Hystrix Ital. J. Mammal. 2012, 23, 58–66. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Pettett, C.E.; Moorhouse, T.P.; Johnson, P.J.; Macdonald, D.W. Factors affecting hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) attraction to rural villages in arable landscapes. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 2017, 63, 54. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Valerio, F.; Basile, M.; Balestrieri, R. The identification of wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots: Citizen science reveals spatial and temporal patterns. Ecol. Proc. 2021, 10, 6. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Husijer, M.P.; Bergers, P.J.M. The effect of roads and traffic on hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populations. Biol. Conserv. 2000, 95, 111–116. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Kristiansson, H. Population variables and causes of mortality in a hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populationin Southern Sweden. J. Zool. 1990, 220, 391–404. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Rondinini, C.; Doncaster, C.P. Roads as barriers to movement for hedgehogs. Funct. Ecol. 2002, 16, 504–509. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Moore, L.J.; Petrovan, S.O.; Baker, P.J.; Bates, A.J.; Hicks, H.L.; Perkins, S.E.; Yarnell, R.W. Impacts and potential mitigation of road mortality for hedgehogs in Europe. Animals 2020, 10, 1523. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Kučas, A.; Balčiauskas, L. Impact of Road Fencing on Ungulate-Vehicle Collisions and Hotspot Patterns. Land 2021, 10, 338. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Langbein, J.; Putman, R.J.; Pokorny, B. Road traffic accidents involving ungulates and available measures for mitigation. In Ungulate Management in Europe: Problems and Practices; Putman, R.J., Apollonio, M., Andersen, R., Eds.; Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 2011; pp. 215–259. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Davies, J.M.; Roper, T.J.; Shepherdson, D.J. Seasonal distribution of road kills in the European badger (Meles meles). J. Zool. 1987, 211, 525–529. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Markolt, F.; Semethy, L.; Lehoczki, R.; Heltai, M. Spatial and temporal evaluation of wildlife-vehicle collisions along the M3 Highway in Hungary. North-West. J. Zool. 2012, 8, 414–425. [Google Scholar]
  49. Al Sayegh Petkovšek, S.; Kotnik, K.; Breznik, K.; Pokorny, B. Wildlife mortality on the Slovenian highways: Monthly patterns, identification of hotspots and effectiveness of acoustic deterrents. Urban Ecosyst. 2025, 28, 57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Kowalczyk, R.; Zalewski, A.; Jedrzejewska, B. Daily movement and territory use by badgers Meles meles in Bialowicza Primeval Forest, Poland. Wildl. Biol. 2025, 12, 385–391. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  51. Canova, L.; Balestrieri, A. Long-term monitoring by roadkill counts of mammal populations living in intensively cultivated landscapes. Biodiv. Conserv. 2019, 28, 97–113. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  52. Clarke, G.P.; White, P.C.L.; Harris, S. Effects of roads on badger Meles meles populations in south-west England. Biol. Conserv. 1998, 86, 117–124. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  53. Jakubas, D.; Rys, M.; Lazarus, M. Factors affecting wildlife-vehicle collision on the expressway in a suburbanarea in northern Poland. North-West J. Zool. 2018, 14, 107–116. [Google Scholar]
  54. Brieger, F.; Kämmerle, J.L.; Hagen, R.; Suchant, R. Behavioural reactions to oncoming vehicles as a crucialaspect of wildlife-vehicle collision risk in three common wildlife species. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2022, 168, 106564. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  55. Toyran, K.; Adizel, Ö.; Azizoglu, E. Road kills of mammal species in the Van Lake Basin (Turkey). Biol. Div. Conserv. 2018, 11, 40–44. [Google Scholar]
  56. Raymond, S.; Schwartz, A.L.W.; Thomas, R.J.; Chadwick, E.; Perkins, S.E. Temporal patterns of wildlife roadkill in the UK. PLoS ONE 2021, 16, e0310789. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  57. Gunson, K.E.; Mountrakis, G.; Quackenbush, L.J. Spatial wildlife-vehicle collision models: A review of current work and its application to transportation mitigation projects. J. Environ. Manag. 2011, 92, 1074–1082. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  58. Carmona, G.; Virgós, E.; Burgos, T.; Barrientos, R. Factors determining roadkills in a mammal carnivore are road-type specific. Mammal. Biol. 2024, 104, 175–183. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Chikwem, J.O.; Chikwem, U.J.; Chikwem, S.D. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the environment. IHE Linc. Univ. J. Sci. 2021, 10, 36–41. [Google Scholar]
  60. Tucker, M.A.; Schipper, A.M.; Adams, T.S.F.; Attias, N.; Avgar, T.; Babic, N.L.; Barker, K.J.; Bastille-Rousseau, G.; Behr, D.M.; Belant, J.L.; et al. Behavioral responses of terrestrial mammals to COVID-19 lockdowns. Science 2023, 380, 1059–1064. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Raymond, S.; Spencer, M.; Chadwick, E.A.; Madden, J.R.; Perkins, S.E. The impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on wildlife-vehicle collisions in the UK. J. Anim. Ecol. 2023, 92, 1244–1255. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  62. Pokorny, B.; Cerri, J.; Bužan, E. Wildlife roadkill and COVID-19: A biologically significant, but heterogenous reduction. J. Appl. Ecol. 2022, 59, 1291–1301. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  63. Dörler, D.; Heigl, F. A decrease in reports on road-killed animals based on citizen science during COVID-19 lockdown. Peer J. 2021, 9, el2464. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  64. Basak, S.M.; O’Mahony, D.T.; Lesiak, M.; Basak, A.K.; Ziólkowska, E.; Kaim, D.; Hossain, S.M.; Wierzbowska, I.A. Animal-vehicle collisions during the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 in the Krakow metropolitan region, Poland. Sci. Rep. 2022, 12, 7572. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  65. Balčiauskas, L.; Kučas, A.; Balčiauskiene, L. Mammal roadkills in Lithuanian Urban areas: A 15 year study. Animals 2023, 13, 3272. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  66. Bíl, M.; Andrásik, R.; Cícha, V.; Arnon, A.; Kruuse, M.; Langbein, J.; Náhlik, A.; Niemi, M.; Pokorny, B.; Colino-Rabanal, V.J.; et al. COVID-19 related travel restrictions prevented numerous wildlife deaths on roads: A comparative analysis of results from 11 countries. Biol. Conserv. 2021, 256, 109076. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  67. Heigl, F.; Teufelbauer, N.; Resch, S.; Schwieger, S.; Stückler, S.; Dörler, D. A dataset of road-killed vertebrates collected via citizen science from 2014–2020. Sci. Data 2022, 9, 504. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  68. Tajchman, K.; Gawryluka, A.; Fonseca, C. Predicting wildlife-vehicle collisions in an urban area by the example of Lublin in Poland. Appl. Ecol. Environ. Res. 2020, 18, 1981–1997. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Teixeira, F.Z.; Coelho, I.P.; Esperandio, I.B.; Oliveira, N.R.; Porto Peter, F.; Dornelles, S.S.; Delazeri, N.R.; Tavares, M.; Borges Martins, M.; Kindel, A. Are road-kill hotspots coincidentamong different vertebrate groups. Oecol. Aust. 2013, 17, 36–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Trombulak, S.C.; Frissel, C.A. Review of Ecological Effects of Roads on Terrestrial and Aquatic Communities. Conserv. Biol. 2001, 14, 18–30. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  71. Battisti, C.; Amori, G.; De Felici, S.; Luiselli, L.; Zapparoli, M. Mammal road-killing from a Mediterranean area in Central Italy: Evidence from an atlas dataset. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 2012, 23, 217–223. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  72. Rondinini, C.; Di Marco, M.; Chiozza, F.; Santulli, G.; Baisero, D.; Visconti, P.; Hoffman, M.; Schipper, J.; Stuart, S.N.; Tognelli, M.F.; et al. Global habitat suitability models of terrestrial mammals. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B 2011, 366, 2633–2641. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  73. Amori, G.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsainas, G.; Palomo, L. Erinaceus roumanicus (Amended Version of 2016 Assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021, e.T136344A197508156. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/136344/197508156 (accessed on 11 March 2025).
  74. Kranz, A.; Abramov, A.V.; Herrero, J.; Maran, T. Meles meles. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016, e.T29673A45203002. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/29673/45203002 (accessed on 11 September 2024).
  75. Hoffmann, M.; Sillero-Zubiri, C. Vulpes vulpes (Amended Version of 2016 Assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021, e.T23062A193903628. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/23062/193903628 (accessed on 11 March 2025).
  76. Abramov, A.V.; Kranz, A.; Herrero, J.; Choudhury, A.V.; Maran, T. Martes foina (Amended Version of 2016 Assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024, e.T29672A259348828. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/29672/259348828 (accessed on 11 March 2025).
  77. Herrero, J.; Kranz, A.; Skumatov, D.; Abramov, A.V.; Maran, T.; Monakhov, V.G. Martes martes. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016, e.T12848A45199169. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12848/45199169 (accessed on 11 March 2025).
  78. Gerngross, P.; Ambarli, H.; Angelici, F.M.; Anile, S.; Campbell, R.; Ferreras de Andres, P.; Gil-Sanchez, J.M.; Götz, M.; Jerosch, S.; Mengüllüoglu, D.; et al. Felis silvestris (Amended Version of 2022 Assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023, e.T181049859A224982454. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/181049859/224982454 (accessed on 11 September 2024).
  79. Gazzard, A. Sciurus vulgaris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023, e.T221730864A221731049. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/221730864/221731049 (accessed on 11 September 2024).
  80. Lovari, S.; Lorenzini, R.; Masseti, M.; Pereladova, O.; Carden, R.F.; Brook, S.M.; Mattioli, S. Cervus elaphus (Errata Version Published in 2019). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018, e.T55997072A142404453. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/55997072/142404453 (accessed on 11 September 2024).
  81. Keuling, O.; Leus, K. Sus scrofa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019, e.T41775A44141833. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41775/44141833 (accessed on 11 March 2025).
  82. Grilo, C.; Koroleva, E.; Andrasik, R.; Bíl, M.; Gonzalez-Suarez, M. Roadkill risk and population vulnerability in European birds and mammals. Front. Ecol. Environ. 2020, 18, 323–328. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  83. Coffin, A.W.; Ouren, D.S.; Bettez, N.D.; Borda-de-Água, L.; Daniels, A.E.; Grilo, C.; Jaeger, J.A.G.; Navaro, L.M.; Preisler, H.K.; Rauschert, E.S.J. The ecology of rural roads: Effects, management, and research. Issues Ecol. ESA 2021, 23, 1–36. [Google Scholar]
  84. Grilo, C.; Borda-de-Água, L.; Beja, P.; Goolsby, E.; Soanes, K.; le Roux, A.; Koroleva, E.; Ferreira, F.Z.; Gagné, S.A.; Wang, J.; et al. Conservation threats from roadkill in the global network. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr. 2021, 30, 2200–2210. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Ecologies 06 00032 g001
Figure 1. Sampling sites for roadkill mammals along the Zmajevac-Osijek road (red line) in the Croatian part of Baranja with the average number of roadkill mammals per road section (downloaded from Google Maps and modified according to the atlas of Croatia [21,25]).
Figure 1. Sampling sites for roadkill mammals along the Zmajevac-Osijek road (red line) in the Croatian part of Baranja with the average number of roadkill mammals per road section (downloaded from Google Maps and modified according to the atlas of Croatia [21,25]).
Ecologies 06 00032 g001
Table 1. Average annual daily traffic (AADT) and average summer daily traffic (ASDT) on the studied road from Zmajevac to Osijek [26].
Table 1. Average annual daily traffic (AADT) and average summer daily traffic (ASDT) on the studied road from Zmajevac to Osijek [26].
Year/Counting PlaceSuza (D-212)Lug (4042)Biljska Road (4257)
AADTASDTAADTASDTAADTASDT
2016183520461616172580387751
2017193021971643179180167896
2018198022231656177579927828
2019220025101800185181897938
2020179221011538180972927749
2021203123421706188983018303
2022222624881747181583487895
2023242526761849195187178438
2024-2678---7995
Table 2. Number of recorded individuals of different taxa of roadkill wild mammals in the study area from 2016 to 2024: 1. Zmajevac, State Road D-212; 2. Suza, State Road D-212; 3. Kn. Vinogradi, State Road D-212; 4. Mitrovac, County Road 4042; 5. Grabovac, County Road 4042; 6. Lug, County Road 4042; 7. Vardarac, County Road 4042; 8. Bilje, County Road 4042; 9. Biljska Road, County Road 4257. See Figure 1.
Table 2. Number of recorded individuals of different taxa of roadkill wild mammals in the study area from 2016 to 2024: 1. Zmajevac, State Road D-212; 2. Suza, State Road D-212; 3. Kn. Vinogradi, State Road D-212; 4. Mitrovac, County Road 4042; 5. Grabovac, County Road 4042; 6. Lug, County Road 4042; 7. Vardarac, County Road 4042; 8. Bilje, County Road 4042; 9. Biljska Road, County Road 4257. See Figure 1.
Taxon/Road Sections1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.Total
Erinaceus roumanicus226-7963338
Meles meles223256-3-23
Vulpes vulpes224-23---13
Martes foina----1-1114
Martes martes--2--1---3
Felis silvestris silvestris----1--1-2
Sciurus vulgaris-------1-1
Cervus elaphus--------11
Sus scrofa---1-----1
Number of individuals66153161979586
Number of taxa334254253
Table 3. Number of roadkill wild mammals on three road sections in study area.
Table 3. Number of roadkill wild mammals on three road sections in study area.
Year/No. Roadkill MammalsD-21240424257
2016330
2017131
2018141
2019230
2020000
2021210
2022240
20236182
202410181
∑27545
Table 4. Roadkill animals per day, kilometer, and species between 2022 and 2024.
Table 4. Roadkill animals per day, kilometer, and species between 2022 and 2024.
Year202220232024
Species/Mortality RatePer SpeciesPer DaysPer KmPer SpeciesPer DaysPer KmPer SpeciesPer DaysPer Km
1.50.18 1.30.77 1.810.86
Erinacesus roumanicus0.02 0.41 0.50
Meles meles0.11 0.17 0.20
Vulpes vulpes 0.08 0.08
Martes foina 0.05
Martes martes 0.05
Felis silvestris silvestris0.02
Sciurus vulgaris
Cervus elaphus
Sus scrofa 0.03
Table 5. Roadkill animals per day, kilometer, and species between 2019 and 2021.
Table 5. Roadkill animals per day, kilometer, and species between 2019 and 2021.
Year201920202021
Species/Mortality RatePer SpeciesPer DaysPer KmPer SpeciesPer DaysPer KmPer SpeciesPer DaysPer Km
10.15 10.08
Erinacesus roumanicus0.03
Meles meles0.05
Vulpes vulpes 0.08
Martes foina0.03
Martes martes
Felis silvestris silvestris
Sciurus vulgaris0.03
Cervus elaphus
Sus scrofa
Table 6. Roadkill animals per day, kilometer, and species between 2016 and 2018.
Table 6. Roadkill animals per day, kilometer, and species between 2016 and 2018.
Year201620172018
Species/Mortality RatePer SpeciesPer DaysPer KmPer SpeciesPer DaysPer KmPer SpeciesPer DaysPer Km
1.20.18 1.250.15 10.18
Erinacesus roumanicus0.08 0.05
Meles meles 0.02 0.08
Vulpes vulpes0.05 0.02 0.02
Martes foina 0.02
Martes martes0.02
Felis silvestris silvestris 0.02
Sciurus vulgaris
Cervus elaphus 0.02
Sus scrofa
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Krčmar, S.; Pezzi, M. Records of Roadkill Wild Mammals in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia. Ecologies 2025, 6, 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020032

AMA Style

Krčmar S, Pezzi M. Records of Roadkill Wild Mammals in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia. Ecologies. 2025; 6(2):32. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020032

Chicago/Turabian Style

Krčmar, Stjepan, and Marco Pezzi. 2025. "Records of Roadkill Wild Mammals in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia" Ecologies 6, no. 2: 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020032

APA Style

Krčmar, S., & Pezzi, M. (2025). Records of Roadkill Wild Mammals in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia. Ecologies, 6(2), 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020032

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop