Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objective: Wildlife vehicle strikes were determined on a road that passes through the northwestern portion of Montes de María, a relictual area of a tropical dry forest in the Department of Sucre, Caribbean, and Colombia. Methods/statistical analysis: The study area was located between the Pechelín Bridge (9° 26’12’’ N - 75° 26’20’’ W) and Colosó (9° 29’10’’N - 75° 21’ 18’’O), Sucre, Colombia, an alternating tropical zonobioma. The study was carried out for 6 continuous months, from October, 2016 to March, 2017, with two routes/week, between 05:00 and 08:00, at an average speed of 15 km/hour. The samples were identified in situ. Duncan’s multiple range tests was applied for the analysis. Findings: Vehicle strikes of 66 amphibians (35.9%), 76 reptiles (41.3%), 12 birds (6.5%) and 30 mammals (16.3%) were recorded. There was no significant difference between the two analyzed seasons. The daily roadkill rate (TA) was 0.35 ind/day/km. According to the Duncan’s multiple range tests, the amphibian and reptile groups suffered significantly more roadkills; on the other hand, the species with the greater number of collisions were: Rhinella marina, Iguana iguana and Didelphis marsupialis. The roadkill rate in the present study was relatively high when compared with rates established in other studies. The proximity of the dry forest present with its relict landscape resulted in the high calculated value. Application: Wildlife vehicle strikes form a type of environmental deterioration that requires special attention. The results showed that preventive measures and corrective steps must be taken to avoid the negative impact of anthropic actions.

Keywords: Caribbean, Colombia, Dry Forest, Environmental Impact, Roadkill