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The Increasing Problem of Motor Vehicle Collisions with Animals

1. Introduction

Although motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) with animals are a worldwide phenomenon, they have received relatively little attention in the scientific literature. This paper will be based on the issue of MVCs with world animals with a focus on European countries. The objectives of this paper are to: (i) review the current state of knowledge on the issue of MVCs with world animals; (ii) assess the collision rates in different countries; (iii) evaluate the policy and research implications of MVCs with world animals.

2. What is human-wildlife conflict?

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can be defined as “a situation where people perceive that wildlife is adversely affecting their livelihoods or safety” (Dolman & Fuentes, 2010, p. 1). HWC can take many different forms, such as crop raiding by elephants, livestock predation by lions, and MVCs with deer. MVCs with animals are a type of HWC that has been receiving increasing attention in recent years.

3. Collision rates in different countries

MVCs with animals are a growing problem in many parts of the world. In the United States, for example, there were 1.5 million MVCs with deer between 1988 and 1997, resulting in 150 human deaths and $1. billion in property damage (Conover, 1998). The estimated annual cost of MVCs with wildlife in Canada is CAD$340 million (Feddema et al., 2005). In Europe, MVCs with wildlife account for 2-5% of all insurance claims, costing €500-700 million annually (van der Ree et al., 2009).

There are several factors that contribute to the high number of MVCs with animals. These include:

– The increasing number of motor vehicles on the road: There are now more than 1 billion motor vehicles worldwide, and this number is expected to continue to grow in the coming years (Freedman, 2015).

– The increasing number of people living in rural areas: The percentage of the world’s population living in rural areas has been declining for several decades, but it is still high at 54% (UN DESA, 2014). This trend is expected to continue as more people move to urban areas.

– The increasing number of roads: The total length of paved roads has more than doubled since 1980, from 65 million km to 140 million km (World Bank, 2016). This trend is expected to continue as more countries develop their infrastructure.

– The changing landscape: The landscape is changing due to factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture. These changes can fragment habitats and create new roads and other infrastructure that can lead to increased contact between animals and humans (Dolman & Fuentes, 2010).

4. The case of Kibale National Park in Uganda

Kibale National Park is a tropical forest reserve located in Uganda. It is home to a large number of primates, including chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys. The park also has a growing human population living in or near it. As the human population has increased, so has the number of MVCs involving primates. In fact, there have been so many MVCs that the park has had to implement a number of mitigation measures, including:

– Closing roads: The park has closed some roads to reduce the number of MVCs.

– Creating animal crossing structures: The park has created a number of animal crossing structures, such as culverts and overpasses, to allow animals to cross roads safely.

– Conducting public awareness campaigns: The park has conducted public awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance of driving safely and watching out for animals.

5. Policy and research implications

The increasing number of MVCs with animals has a number of policy and research implications.

– Policy implications: The growing problem of MVCs with animals has led to a number of policy initiatives aimed at reducing the number of collisions. For example, in the United States, the Highway Safety Improvement Program requires states to address wildlife-vehicle collisions as a safety hazard (USDOT, 2015). In Europe, the European Commission has funded a number of projects on MVCs with wildlife, such as the COST Action E49 project (van der Ree et al., 2009).

– Research implications: There is a need for more research on MVCs with animals. This research can be used to develop effective mitigation measures and to assess the effectiveness of existing measures.

6. Conclusion

MVCs with animals are a growing problem in many parts of the world. They can have a number of negative consequences, such as property damage, injuries, and death. mitigating measures, such as animal crossing structures and public awareness campaigns, can help to reduce the number of MVCs.

FAQ

Human wildlife conflict is a situation where the interests of humans and wildlife come into conflict. This can happen when wild animals damage crops or property, or when they pose a threat to human safety.

Human wildlife conflict can occur for a variety of reasons. One reason is habitat loss; as humans encroach on natural habitats, animals are forced into closer contact with people, which can lead to conflict. Another reason is changes in land use; for example, if an area that was once forest is cleared for agriculture, the animals that used to live there may start raiding farms for food. Finally, over-hunting of certain species can also lead to human wildlife conflict; if there are fewer prey animals around, predators may start attacking livestock or even people.

Human wildlife conflict affects many different groups of people. Farmers and other rural dwellers are often the most affected, as they are the ones whose crops and property are most likely to be damaged by wild animals. However, urban residents can also be affected by human wildlife conflict; for example, if monkeys invade a city looking for food, they can cause considerable nuisance value and even pose a health risk by spreading disease.

There are several ways to prevent or reduce human wildlife conflict. One way is through habitat conservation and management; by protecting natural habitats and managing them responsibly, we can help reduce the pressure on Wildlife that leads to conflicts with humans in the first place. Another way to prevent human wildlife conflict is through education; teaching people about how to coexist peacefully with Wildlife can go a long way towards reducing incidents of Conflict between them. Finally, developing early-warning systems to alert people when wildlife is present in an area can also help to reduce the chances of conflict occurring.

The consequences of human wildlife conflict can be serious. In some cases, people have been killed by wild animals; in other cases, crops and property have been destroyed, leading to financial losses for farmers and others. Human wildlife conflict can also lead to the displacement of Wildlife from their natural habitats; if animals are constantly being chased away or killed by humans, they may eventually disappear from an area altogether. Finally, human wildlife conflict can cause considerable stress and anxiety for those who live in fear of encountering a dangerous animal.

There can be some positive outcomes from human wildlife conflict resolution/management. For example, resolving conflicts between humans and Wildlife can lead to a better understanding and appreciation of both groups; it can also help to protect vulnerable species from extinction. In addition, successful management of human wildlife conflict can provide economic benefits for communities that are able to take advantage of eco-tourism opportunities